SK Bioscience signed an extended contract for consignment production of a COVID-19 vaccine.
SK Bioscience announced on December 24 that it signed a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) and license agreement for the production and global supply of the undiluted solution of the COVID-19 vaccine "NVX-CoV2373" developed by US bio company Novavax.
The contract period is until December next year, and SK Bioscience will use three of the nine undiluted production facilities of the Andong Vaccine Plant L House for the production of NVX-CoV2373.
SK Bioscience will receive a commission from Novavax for production of undiluted solution (DS) and sales commission for sales of finished product (DP) from Novavax. SK Bioscience will secure additional sales through direct sales in Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
SK Bioscience predicts that additional sales can be expected for each contract, including about 200 billion won in commissions expected from the original contract.
SK Bioscience signed a contract production contract with Novavax in August last year and a license contract in February this year, and has been producing NVX-CoV2373.
Through this, the company has completed all preparations for commercial production by completing the protein-based nanoparticle recombination and transfer of production process technology required for the production of NVX-CoV2373.
NVX-CoV2373 is used for a long time in existing vaccines such as influenza (flu), hepatitis B and cervical cancer vaccines. Since it can be stored under refrigeration conditions of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, it can be distributed using the existing vaccine distribution network, and thawing is unnecessary during the inoculation stage.
The excellent preventive effect of NVX-CoV2373 was confirmed through Novavax's own clinical results.
In a clinical trial conducted by Novavax in the United States and Mexico on 30,000 adults over the age of 18, the effectiveness of NVX-CoV2373 in preventing the COVID-19 virus reached 90%.
Ahn Jae-yong, president of SK bioscience, said, “SK bioscience will strive to achieve the common goal of protecting vulnerable populations through an equitable supply of vaccines while establishing itself as an undisputed global vaccine supply hub.”
