SK bioscience, IDT Biologika (IDT) and Vaxxas have been selected for phase 1 of a next-generation vaccine development initiative managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) on behalf of the European Commission’s Health Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA).
Using Vaxxas’ needle-free delivery technology, the three-party consortium will develop a seasonal influenza vaccine for older adults and pandemic influenza vaccine for broader populations.
This contract is one of three EU-funded framework contracts, valued at up to a total of €225m and aimed at strengthening next-generation vaccine commercialisation and supply capabilities within Europe. HaDEA will provide up to €12.9m to support phase 1 research, including a phase 1 clinical trial. Subject to successful technical validation and clinical outcomes, the consortium could tender to progress through subsequent phases of the programme to support phase 3 and final-stage development.
The contract represents the first major global public funding secured following SK bioscience’s acquisition of IDT, and continues the company’s collaboration with high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) producer Vaxxas. It also establishes a pathway for entry into the highly regulated European market by combining influenza vaccine development capabilities with Vaxxas’ HD-MAP technology.
Within the consortium, IDT serves as the European legal contracting entity and overall project lead, overseeing project management and coordination with European authorities. Upon commercialisation, IDT is expected to function as a key manufacturing hub in Europe, including responsibility for drug substance production.
SK bioscience, leveraging its cell culture technology, will supply drug substances for both its licensed influenza vaccine, SKYCellflu, and a pandemic influenza vaccine currently under development. SK bioscience will also collaborate with Vaxxas for the clinical development, with Vaxxas manufacturing HD-MAP vaccines.
The patch-based influenza vaccines are designed to achieve a comparable immunogenicity response with lower antigen doses than traditional delivery platforms. With a short application time and room-temperature stability, they are expected to enhance ease of administration and increase vaccine access critical to a public health vaccination response.
According to modelling by Avalere Health on a US scenario, the potential impact of microarray patch (MAP) vaccines in a pandemic could be at least 35% fewer cases, and at least 30% fewer deaths by enabling a broader and faster response. Additionally, MAP vaccines could reduce US economic losses by at least $200bn and global economic losses by at least $921bn over two years.
Through this project, SK bioscience, IDT, and Vaxxas intend to actively target the European seasonal influenza vaccine market for older adults, while boosting their capabilities to support the region’s preparedness to respond to potential public health crises.
Upon successful development, the consortium partners plan to pursue entry into major advanced markets, and explore additional business opportunities through exports to key markets such as Korea and the US, depending on global clinical outcomes.
According to global market research firm Datamonitor, the seasonal influenza vaccine market targeting older adults is estimated at approximately $459m. As immune responses decline with age, this segment shows strong demand for products such as high-dose and adjuvanted vaccines, making differentiated formulations and technologies a direct determinant of market competitiveness.
“With more than 100 years of experience in vaccine development and manufacturing, IDT Biologika has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of patients and partners worldwide,” said Sally Choe, co-CEO of IDT Biologika.
“Our global customer focus drives us to not only ensure reliable, high-quality production, but also to actively shape innovative delivery solutions that can expand access and improve acceptance across broader populations. By working with SK bioscience and Vaxxas to advance needle-free patch technology for influenza vaccines, we are helping to develop new vaccination approaches designed to better protect people around the world against seasonal and pandemic influenza.”
“The successful tender reflects a shared ambition across the consortium and the European Commission to invest in alternative vaccine delivery technologies that simplify vaccination and enhance preparedness,” said Vaxxas CEO David Peacock.
“This tender positions Vaxxas and its consortium partners at the forefront of global vaccination innovation. We are proud to see our technology recognised by governments worldwide as a critical component of future public health preparedness.”
Jaeyong Ahn, president and CEO of SK bioscience, said: “This project marks the first tangible business outcome following the acquisition of IDT, demonstrating how our combined global network and technological capabilities translate into performance. We will continue to actively pursue opportunities for our proprietary vaccines in Europe and strengthen our competitiveness in the global market through innovative platforms.”
SK bioscience is accelerating the global expansion of its key pipelines through partnerships. Ongoing initiatives include phase 3 global clinical development of the next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (GBP410) in collaboration with Sanofi; clinical advancement of a broadly protective sarbecovirus vaccine supported by the Gates Foundation and CEPI; and the establishment of next-generation mRNA platform strategies. Through these efforts, the company aims to expand its leadership beyond Korea and into the global vaccine market.