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SK Bioscience Launches $256M Global Vaccine R&D Hub in South Korea

SK Bioscience has inaugurated its new Global Research & Process Development Centre in Songdo, Incheon, establishing South Korea's largest facility dedicated solely to vaccine development. The $255.7 million centre will enable the entire vaccine development cycle, from early research to technical validation, within a single site to improve speed and quality. The company reported a swing to a net profit of $14.8 million for the third quarter of 2025. SK Bioscience's leadership also met with Bill Gates to discuss expanding cooperation in global health initiatives.

Key Points: SK Bioscience Opens Global Vaccine R&D Centre in Songdo

  • $255.7M vaccine R&D centre opens
  • Aims for full-cycle vaccine development in one site
  • Company posted Q3 net profit of $14.8M
  • Discussed global health cooperation with Bill Gates
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SK Bioscience launches new global R&D centre in South Korea

SK Bioscience launches a $255.7M Global R&PD Centre in Songdo, aiming to accelerate vaccine development and enhance global health cooperation.

"The move... is meaningful... as the acquisition of critical infrastructure - Ahn Jae-young, CEO"

Seoul, Jan 19

SK Bioscience Co, the biotech arm of South Korea's SK Group, on Monday launched its new global research and development centre west of Seoul to enhance the efficiency of its vaccine research, the company said.

SK Bioscience officially began operations of its Global Research & Process Development (R&PD) Centre in Songdo, an international business district in the western port city of Incheon. The $255.7 million facility also serves as the company's new headquarters, Yonhap news agency reported.

The new building is the country's single-largest facility dedicated solely to vaccine development, the company said, noting it plans to conduct "stable and efficient research" across a wide range of vaccine solutions.

The research centre will enable SK Bioscience to conduct an entire development cycle, from early-stage research to technical validation, within a single site, allowing the company to improve both speed and quality in the development process, it added.

"The move into the Songdo Global R&PD Centre is meaningful not merely as a relocation, but as the acquisition of critical infrastructure that enables the tangible execution of SK Bioscience's mid- to long-term growth strategy," Ahn Jae-young, chief executive officer of the company.

Meanwhile, SK Bioscience Co reported its third-quarter net profit of $14.8 million in November 2025, swinging from a loss of 22.3 billion won a year earlier.

The company said in a regulatory filing that it continued to post an operating loss of 19.4 billion won for the July-September period, compared with a loss of 39.6 billion won a year earlier. Revenue rose 144.6 per cent to 150.8 billion won.

Its President Lee Jae Myung also met with Bill Gates, the chair of the Gates Foundation, and discussed ways to expand cooperation in global health initiatives, Yonhap reported.

Gates said he expects South Korea to play an important role in global health initiatives through "innovative products" in vaccines and diagnostic equipment, as well as other contributions.

He also introduced the achievements of the Gavi vaccine alliance and the Global Fund in curbing such diseases as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, expressing hope for South Korea's increased contribution to global health initiatives.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
$255 million facility! That's huge commitment. Hope this leads to more affordable vaccines for diseases like TB and malaria which affect many in developing countries. Good to see Gates Foundation involved.
R
Rohit P
While this is impressive, I hope the focus remains on global public health and not just profits. The article mentions they're still posting operating losses. Let's see if this investment pays off for patients, not just shareholders.
S
Sarah B
Having a single site for the entire development cycle from research to validation is a smart move. It should significantly cut down time-to-market for new vaccines. Efficiency matters in healthcare.
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Vikram M
South Korea's rise in biotech is remarkable. From semiconductors to vaccines. India has Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech, we need to support them with similar world-class infrastructure. Jai Hind!
K
Kavya N
The mention of Gavi and Global Fund is key. International cooperation is vital. Hope this centre develops vaccines that are accessible to all, not just wealthy nations. Health is a right, not a privilege.

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