SK Bioscience and Sanofi Extend Pneumococcal Vaccine Pact

SK bioscience and Sanofi have chosen to enhance their existing collaboration in the development of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), a move focused on addressing the needs of both children and adults. This strategic expansion builds on their ongoing work with GBP410, a promising pediatric vaccine candidate currently advancing to Phase III clinical trials.

Under the terms of the newly extended agreement, Sanofi will provide SK bioscience with an initial payment of €50 million ($52.1 million), alongside the potential for further milestone payments as development progresses. The two companies have agreed to evenly split the costs associated with research and development, while Sanofi will be responsible for any expenses related to commercialization efforts. Within this framework, SK bioscience maintains exclusive rights to the Korean market. In contrast, Sanofi will manage distribution in other regions and will pay royalties on global sales.

Thomas Triomphe, Sanofi Vaccines' executive vice-president, expressed enthusiasm for the expanded partnership, highlighting the significant unmet public health needs in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). He stressed the importance of leveraging SK bioscience's capabilities along with Sanofi's expertise in creating and distributing innovative vaccines worldwide. Their shared goal is to diminish the global burden of pneumococcal disease.

A notable aspect of this extended collaboration is the inclusion of PCVs aimed at adults, aiming to provide broad protection against pneumococcal infections across different age groups. The initiation of the Phase III clinical program for GBP410 is particularly significant, as it represents the first vaccine candidate in this trial phase to feature over 20 serotypes for infants and toddlers. These global Phase III studies will evaluate the vaccine's safety and ability to provoke an immune response in over 7,700 participants between six weeks and 17 years old, with up to four doses administered depending on the age at enrollment.

Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience, spoke on the strategic decision to pursue the development of next-generation PCVs and the concurrent launch of the Phase III clinical program for GBP410. He cited the candidate's high potential for success, the promising market outlook, and the strong mutual trust between the partnering companies as key reasons for moving forward. As a leading entity in Korea's vaccine and bio-industry, SK bioscience remains committed to introducing vaccines with significant market potential. This commitment aims to ensure vaccine sovereignty, contribute to global health objectives, and position the company as a leader in the global vaccine market.

In preparation for the future commercialization of GBP410, SK bioscience has commenced the expansion of its 'L House' manufacturing facility in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. This development, initiated in March, is being undertaken with joint investment from Sanofi. The ground-breaking ceremony for the expansion of L House occurred in March 2024, marking a significant step in gearing up for large-scale production.

This partnership between SK bioscience and Sanofi represents a concerted effort to advance vaccine technology and address critical public health challenges, particularly in the realm of pneumococcal disease. Through this collaboration, both companies aim to bring innovative solutions to the global market, ultimately impacting public health positively.