Korea’s largest Global R&PD Center, built with an investment of KRW 377.2 billion, officially begins operations

Establishment of a one-stop research and process development system, advancing Songdo from a manufacturing base to a research-driven hub

Acceleration of mid- to long-term growth through strengthened global networks and next-generation vaccine platforms

SK bioscience has officially ushered in its Songdo era, accelerating its transformation into a global biopharmaceutical leader.

SK bioscience announced that it has completed the relocation of its headquarters and research functions to the Global R&PD (Research & Process Development) Center in Songdo International City, Incheon, and has officially commenced operations as of the 19th.

This move goes beyond a simple physical relocation, serving as a pivotal milestone in evolving the Songdo cluster?traditionally centered on manufacturing?into a highly advanced, research-driven innovation hub. From this new base, SK bioscience plans to maximize synergies with global partners and further strengthen its competitiveness in the global market.

■ A KRW 377.2 Billion State-of-the-Art Hub Completing a One-Stop R&D?Process Development System

The Global R&PD Center is a large-scale research and process development hub built with a total investment of KRW 377.2 billion, including land acquisition, construction, and advanced equipment.

The facility spans 30,413.8㎡ of land with a total floor area of 64,178.37㎡, comprising two underground levels and seven above-ground floors. It is designed to seamlessly integrate R&D, process development (PD), and quality analysis into a single, continuous development workflow.

Notably, the center is Korea’s largest and most advanced facility dedicated exclusively to vaccine research. It houses specialized laboratories for next-generation vaccine platforms, including mRNA, recombinant protein, and viral vector technologies, along with a digitally enabled collaborative research environment. This infrastructure enables stable and efficient research and process validation across a wide range of vaccine modalities.

To further enhance development efficiency, SK bioscience has established a global-standard pilot lab within the center, integrating research processes that previously had to be partially conducted at its commercial manufacturing facility, L HOUSE in Andong.

As a result, the entire development cycle?from early platform research and process design to scale-up, technical validation, and technology transfer?can now be carried out within a single space, completing a true one-stop development system that improves both speed and quality.

■ Organizational Culture Centered on Communication to Maximize Global Business Synergies

The architectural design of the center reflects SK bioscience’s commitment to fostering a collaborative organizational culture. All floors are connected by open stairways to naturally encourage movement, communication, and collaboration among employees. The lobby design is inspired by the concept of interconnected cells, symbolizing innovation and connectivity, while a “Passion Wall” visually showcases the Group’s history and entrepreneurial spirit, enhancing the building’s symbolic value.

Business spaces dedicated to global partnerships have also been significantly strengthened. The first floor features an open event space capable of accommodating more than 100 people, along with a variety of mid- to small-sized meeting rooms. These facilities support not only internal and external events but also engagement programs for global partners, government officials, and international organizations.

In particular, a dedicated corridor surrounding the pilot lab allows visitors to safely observe process units, creating a practical business setting for technical briefings and collaboration discussions.

Employee work environments have been substantially upgraded as well. The center is equipped with AI-based work tools and high-speed ICT infrastructure, enabling a smart work environment. In addition to essential amenities for dining, relaxation, fitness, and health management, the building offers expanded meeting rooms and lounge spaces designed to support flexible collaboration. Accessibility has also been improved through expanded shuttle bus services and parking facilities.

From a welfare perspective, both indoor and outdoor gardens have been created to enhance focus and well-being, while a company-run childcare center with a capacity of approximately 50 children has been newly established on an adjacent site. SK bioscience will fully cover childcare and extracurricular activity costs, significantly easing the childcare burden for employees.

■ Advancing Mid- to Long-Term Growth Strategy and Strengthening Global Competitiveness

Leveraging the Songdo Global R&PD Center, SK bioscience plans to strengthen its premium vaccine portfolio, including pneumococcal vaccines, while expanding development capabilities for key vaccines such as influenza.

The company will also pursue mid- to long-term growth strategies, including the expansion of mRNA and AI-based platforms, increased participation in global collaborative projects with international organizations such as CEPI, WHO, and the Gates Foundation, and business expansion in collaboration with its subsidiary IDT Biologika.

With research, process development, and business functions organically connected within a single space, opportunities for global collaboration are expected to expand significantly.

Ahn Jae-yong, President and CEO of SK bioscience, stated,

“The move into the Songdo Global R&PD Center 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.

Building on this foundation, we will continue to drive innovation by connecting research, process development, and global collaboration into a unified growth engine, contributing to global health advancement and strengthening our position as a global biopharmaceutical company.”