SK Bioscience Honored with Minister of Health and Welfare Award for Vaccine Innovation and Public Health Contributions
Seoul, Korea – SK Bioscience has been recognized for its notable contributions to national health security and global public health with the Minister of Health and Welfare Award at the ‘2025 Health Industry Performance Exchange’ held in Seoul on the 27th. The award acknowledges the company’s dedication to vaccine self-sufficiency and strengthening infectious disease response capabilities.
The annual event, hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, celebrates innovation within the health industry and honors key contributors.SK Bioscience was specifically lauded as an “innovative pharmaceutical company” for its R&D-driven advancements in vaccine development and platform technology.
SK Bioscience has played a pivotal role in bolstering Korea’s vaccine independence with the development of Sky cell Flu, the nation’s first cell culture-based flu vaccine, ensuring a consistent supply. The company further solidified this position with SkyCovid One, Korea’s first domestically produced COVID-19 vaccine, developed using its own platform technology and afterward listed on the World Health Institution’s Emergency Use List (EUL).
Beyond COVID-19 and influenza,SK Bioscience continues to protect public health through its established portfolio of vaccines including Sky Varicella (chickenpox) and Sky Zoster (shingles).
The company is actively working with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on a cell culture-based avian influenza vaccine, aiming to further enhance national preparedness. SK bioscience is also expanding its global impact through collaborations with organizations like the Gates Foundation, CEPI, and Gavi, developing vaccines against diseases like Japanese encephalitis and Lassa fever. Strategic partnerships with Sanofi for next-generation pneumococcal vaccine development and the acquisition of German company IDT Biologica to strengthen CDMO capabilities, alongside investments in mRNA technology, demonstrate the company’s commitment to becoming a leading global vaccine partner.
Yoon Hyeok, head of the Bio Regulatory Management Team at SK Bioscience, also received a commendation for his contributions to supporting domestic vaccine development, facilitating global clinical trials, and establishing robust biosafety systems.
“This award is a meaningful achievement as the country recognizes our efforts to improve public health and expand global vaccine accessibility,” said Jae-yong ahn, CEO of SK Bioscience. “We will continue to strengthen vaccine sovereignty as a technology-based innovative pharmaceutical company and grow into a company that contributes to a healthier world.”
