SK Bioscience will continue supplying its self-developed SKYVaricella vaccine to Latin American countries through 2027 after receiving prior notification from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The South Korean vaccine manufacturer first secured a PAHO contract in 2022 and has maintained steady deliveries over the past three years. PAHO, alongside UNICEF, ranks among the world’s largest vaccine procurement agencies, purchasing vaccines in bulk for Latin American nations.
SKYVaricella obtained World Health Organization Prequalification certification in 2019, becoming only the second varicella vaccine globally to achieve this status—a prerequisite for participating in PAHO tenders.
The vaccine, first commercialized in South Korea in 2018, demonstrated strong immunogenicity and efficacy in children aged 12 months to 12 years during global clinical trials. It’s produced at the company’s Andong L HOUSE facility, which meets Good Manufacturing Practice standards.
According to Market Research Intellect, the global varicella vaccine market is projected to grow at approximately 6.3% annually, potentially reaching $5.76 billion by 2031, driven by expanding government immunization programs.
Jinsun Park, Head of Marketing & Business Development at SK Bioscience, cited the PAHO contract extension as validation of the company’s product quality and production capabilities.
Beyond varicella vaccines, SK Bioscience is working to expand its global presence with other independently developed vaccines including SKYCellflu, SKYZoster, and SKYTyphoid. The company is also jointly developing a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine currently in Phase 3 global clinical trials.
