SK Bioscience has begun exporting 750,000 doses of its cell culture-based influenza vaccine to Southern Hemisphere nations, expanding its global market reach with technology that offers advantages over traditional production methods.
The Korean biotech company is shipping its SKYCellflu vaccine to markets in Southeast Asia and Latin America during the first half of 2025, marking its second export to Southern Hemisphere regions after an initial delivery to Thailand last year.
By serving both Northern and Southern Hemisphere markets, SK Bioscience can maintain year-round production, improving supply stability and cost efficiency. The company’s vaccine uses cell culture technology, which reduces the risk of viral mutations during manufacturing and allows for faster production compared to conventional egg-based methods.
SKYCellflu was the first cell-based influenza vaccine to receive World Health Organization prequalification certification, a designation that helps facilitate distribution in developing countries.
The global influenza vaccine market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 8.5% by 2030 from $7 billion in 2023, according to Grand View Research.
SK Bioscience is also expanding exports of its other vaccines, including products for varicella, shingles and typhoid fever, as it seeks growth in emerging markets across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
