SK bioscience announced the new domestic launch of MenQuadfi Injection (MenQuadfi, MenACWY-TT), a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine, in partnership with the Korean affiliate of global biopharmaceutical company Sanofi. Developed by Sanofi, MenQuadfi is approved for use in individuals from 6 weeks of age through 55 years and is indicated for the prevention of Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) caused by the major meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y.

Notably, among A, C, W, Y meningococcal vaccines approved in Korea, MenQuadfi is the only product that both includes serogroup A and is approved for use in infants aged 6 weeks to under 24 months. SK bioscience will be responsible for the domestic distribution and supply of the vaccine for infant and pediatric populations.

MenQuadfi is distinguished by its fully liquid formulation, allowing for direct administration without the need for reconstitution. This simplifies vaccine preparation, enhances clinical workflow efficiency, and helps reduce the risk of preparation-related errors in healthcare settings.

The vaccine is administered as a 0.5 mL intramuscular injection, with dosing schedules as follows:

- Individuals aged 2 to 55 years: one dose

Meningococcal disease is transmitted through respiratory secretions, such as nasal discharge or saliva, and can be spread even by asymptomatic carriers, underscoring the importance of prevention. The bacterium may colonize the nasopharynx without symptoms and, under certain conditions, invade the bloodstream or central nervous system, leading to meningitis or septicemia. The risk of transmission is particularly elevated in close-contact settings, including households and communal living environments.

Reflecting these characteristics, major developed countries?including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada?have incorporated meningococcal vaccination for infants, children, and adolescents into national immunization programs or administer it as part of officially recommended routine vaccination schedules. This approach represents a proactive prevention strategy, accounting for the disease’s unpredictable transmission patterns, high case-fatality rates, and the burden of long-term sequelae.

In Korea, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) recommends meningococcal vaccination for individuals at increased risk of infection, including immunocompromised patients, laboratory personnel, new military recruits, university dormitory residents, travelers to or residents of endemic regions, and close contacts during outbreaks.

Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience said “Through the introduction of MenQuadfi, we have expanded preventive options against invasive meningococcal disease for infants and children in Korea. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen the domestic infectious disease prevention environment through global partnerships and ensure a stable supply of vaccines that contribute to public health advancement.”

SK bioscience has been supplying a range of infant and pediatric vaccines in Korea in collaboration with Sanofi, including the hexavalent combination vaccine Hexaxim. Since last year, the company has also launched Beyfortus, a monoclonal antibody injection for RSV prevention, expanding its use primarily among infants. Leveraging a portfolio that spans both vaccines and preventive antibodies, SK bioscience plans to respond with an increasingly proactive prevention strategy to major infectious diseases threatening the health of infants and children in Korea.