SK Bioscience has achieved a significant milestone by dispatching approximately 440,000 doses of its proprietary cell-cultured influenza vaccine, SKY Cellflu, to Biogenetech, a partner in Thailand. This landmark export aligns with the World Health Organization’s forecasted flu strains for the southern hemisphere in 2024, introducing SKY Cellflu to this region for the first time.
This strategic move is part of SK Bioscience’s broader ambition to penetrate the southern hemisphere’s markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, leveraging Thailand’s unique position influenced by both hemispheric flu patterns. The nation’s recent upsurge in flu cases post-COVID-19 and a substantial immunization drive in its major tourist locales underscore the critical demand and the expanding market potential for effective flu vaccines like SKY Cellflu.
With regulatory approvals already secured in 12 countries, including notable markets like Malaysia, Singapore, and Chile, and ongoing approval processes in 10 additional nations, SK Bioscience is solidifying its global footprint. The firm is not just expanding its market reach but is also deeply invested in glocalization efforts. A noteworthy initiative is the July 2023 memorandum of understanding with Thailand’s Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) to transfer SKY Cellflu production technology locally, aiming for self-sufficient commercial vaccine production.
SK Bioscience’s global strategy extends beyond Southeast Asia, with collaborative discussions for R&D and manufacturing infrastructures spanning Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. President Ahn Jae-yong views the Thai export as a pivotal step toward global market expansion, underlining the company’s commitment to innovation with plans to advance a next-generation pneumococcal vaccine into Phase III trials and diversify the market presence of its existing portfolio to boost business performance in the coming years.
