SK bioscience announced that it has signed a contract with IDT Biologika (IDT) for the contract development and manufacturing of the drug product for the Zaire Ebola vaccine with an updated manufacturing process, being developed in collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA) and Hilleman Laboratories.

The agreement forms part of a development project supported by approximately USD 30 million in funding from CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, which was announced in January.

The project focuses on addressing the manufacturing complexity and ultra-cold chain requirements associated with MSD’s existing Zaire Ebola vaccine. Key objectives are to enhance supply stability and accessibility by increasing manufacturing yield and improving thermo stability.

Under the agreement, SK bioscience will produce drug substance, while IDT will leverage its CDMO expertise, know-how, and advanced facilities to undertake drug product development and manufacturing.

This collaboration reflects the broader integration strategy that has been progressively strengthened since SK bioscience acquired IDT. Following the acquisition of IDT, SK bioscience improved manufacturing efficiency and optimized cost structures, leading to a turnaround in profitability.

More recently, SK bioscience and IDT were jointly selected for Phase 1 of a next-generation vaccine development initiative led by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) under delegation from the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). The project aims to develop a high-immunogenic seasonal influenza vaccine for older adults and a patch-based pandemic influenza vaccine and is regarded as a strategic initiative to strengthen Europe’s pandemic preparedness.

With the HaDEA project selection followed by this Zaire Ebola vaccine drug product development and manufacturing agreement, IDT is expanding its role beyond that of a traditional CDMO to become a key hub within SK bioscience’s global development and manufacturing network.

Dr. Sally Choe, CEO of IDT Biologika, added, “This collaboration reflects our strong partnership with SK bioscience and our shared ambition to build an integrated global manufacturing network.”

Jinseon Park, COO of SK bioscience, said, “Through this agreement, the combined development and manufacturing capabilities of SK bioscience and IDT will enhance the execution of global infectious disease response projects. We will continue to advance our integrated manufacturing platform to strengthen our ability to respond reliably to international public health needs.”

SK bioscience continues to expand its global infectious disease portfolio and partnerships. In addition to the Zaire Ebola vaccine collaboration with MSD, the company is currently conducting a global Phase 3 trial of the 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21), GBP410, in partnership with Sanofi, and is participating in pandemic preparedness initiatives with CEPI and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). SK bioscience is also advancing next-generation infectious disease pipelines, including the RSV preventive monoclonal antibody RSM01 and research into broadly protective coronavirus vaccines, while further strengthening its global collaboration network.