SEOUL — SK bioscience Co. announced that its typhoid conjugate vaccine, SKYTyphoid, has been prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a significant milestone for the pharmaceutical company.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the vaccine was developed in collaboration with the International Vaccine Institute, supported by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This prequalification certifies that SKYTyphoid meets WHO standards for safety, efficacy, and manufacturing quality, enabling SK bioscience to participate in public procurement projects by UN organizations, including the United Nations Children's Fund.
SKYTyphoid is the fourth vaccine from SK bioscience to receive WHO prequalification, following two influenza vaccines and a varicella vaccine. With this certification, the company aims to distribute the vaccine globally, focusing on countries with high typhoid prevalence. The WHO reports that typhoid fever affects 11 to 20 million people annually, leading to 120,000 to 160,000 deaths. SK bioscience CEO Ahn Jae-yong expressed the company's commitment to addressing the global vaccine supply imbalance and enhancing public health through rapid distribution of SKYTyphoid to affected regions.