SK Bioscience exports Sky Cellflu to Thailand

South Korea's SK Bioscience Co. announced on Thursday that it has shipped about 440,000 doses (for single-dose administration) of its cell-cultured influenza vaccine Sky Cellflu to its partner in Thailand Biogenetech from its vaccine facility, the Andong L House.

Sky Cellflu, which does not utilize fertilized eggs, can be safely administered even to those with egg allergies, and it has obtained prequalification certification (WHO-PQ) from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The vaccine being supplied by SK Bio to Thailand this time is the influenza strain predicted by the WHO last year to be prevalent in the Southern Hemisphere this year.

The WHO predicts the influenza strains that will be prevalent in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres each year and announces them. If there are no changes in the Southern Hemisphere, the same strain vaccine can be used in the Northern Hemisphere.

Although Thailand is not geographically located in the Southern Hemisphere, the company explained that it is influenced by the WHO's Southern Hemisphere influenza strain guidelines.

In particular, as Thailand is simultaneously influenced by the WHO's guidelines for influenza vaccines in both hemispheres, continuous vaccine supply is needed.

The company expects to be positive for future international organization procurement, among other things.

SK Bioscience discusses various collaborations, including research and development, production infrastructure establishment, and technology transfer in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East countries. 

Write to Ji-Hyun Lee at bluesky@hankyung.com