SK bioscience and Sanofi intensify collaboration on the development of pneumococcal vaccines

In a significant step in vaccine research, SK bioscience and Sanofi have expanded their collaboration for the joint development of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) targeting both children and adults. This partnership builds on their ongoing efforts with the pediatric vaccine candidate GBP410, which is now in Phase III of clinical trials. According to the new agreement, Sanofi is making an upfront payment of 50 million euros to SK bioscience, supplemented by additional potential milestones. The research and development costs will be shared equally, while Sanofi will cover all marketing expenses. SK bioscience retains exclusive rights in South Korea, while Sanofi operates in the remaining markets and pays royalties on international sales. Thomas Triomphe, Executive Vice President of Sanofi Vaccines, emphasized the significant importance of the collaboration given the large unmet health needs. By combining SK bioscience's capabilities with Sanofi's expertise, the aim is to reduce the global impact of pneumococcal diseases. Another goal of the expanded partnership is the development of PCVs for adults to provide comprehensive protection against pneumococcal infections. The start of the Phase III program for GBP410 marks it as the first candidate of its kind with over 20 serotypes for infants and young children. Worldwide, these studies are examining the safety and immunogenicity in more than 7,700 subjects aged six weeks to 17 years, with up to four doses administered based on enrollment age. Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience, highlighted the high success potential of GBP410 and the promising market opportunities. As a leading company in South Korea, they are determined to successfully launch blockbuster-potential vaccines to secure vaccine sovereignty and contribute to global health. In preparation for the commercialization of GBP410, SK bioscience began expanding its 'L House' production facility in Andong, South Korea, in March, which is co-financed with Sanofi. The symbolic groundbreaking for L House took place in March 2024.