SK Bioscience transfers SKYVaricella vaccine technology to Colombia

COLOMBIA—SK Bioscience has signed a technology transfer and manufacturing agreement with the Government of Colombia that will enable local production of its chickenpox vaccine SKYVaricella.

The agreement brings together SK Bioscience, a South Korean vaccine developer, and Colombia’s state-owned pharmaceutical company VECOL in a joint effort to strengthen domestic vaccine capacity.

Through this partnership, Colombia aims to reduce reliance on imports while improving access to immunization products.

The initiative aligns with the country’s broader vaccine localization agenda, which prioritizes health security and preparedness against infectious diseases.

Building Colombia’s domestic vaccine production capacity

Under the agreement, VECOL will oversee the establishment and operation of a dedicated vaccine manufacturing facility in Colombia.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection together with the National Health Institute (Instituto Nacional de Salud), which will coordinate regulatory oversight and public health integration.

SK bioscience will provide technical know-how and production expertise to support facility development, regulatory approvals, and manufacturing operations.

In addition, the collaboration includes integration into Colombia’s National Immunization Program to ensure distribution once production begins.

Investment scale and future expansion opportunities

The initiative is expected to mobilize US$260 million over ten years, reflecting a long-term commitment to building sustainable vaccine infrastructure.

Beyond SKYVaricella, SK bioscience will explore opportunities to expand its portfolio through preferential negotiation rights for additional vaccines.

The expansion plan may include both SK’s proprietary vaccines and other immunization candidates selected by the Colombian government, reinforcing a flexible production model aligned with national health priorities.

Leadership perspectives on global health collaboration

SK bioscience Chief Executive Officer Jaeyong Ahn said the partnership draws on the company’s vaccine development expertise and global collaboration experience to support pandemic preparedness and strengthen supply chains across Latin America.

He added that the company will continue expanding its international footprint through strategic manufacturing alliances.

VECOL President Lucia Ayala emphasized that the agreement goes beyond technology transfer, focusing on building scientific and industrial capacity within Colombia’s public health system.

SK bioscience’s global expansion strategy

SK bioscience has recently reaffirmed its global expansion strategy, first outlined in 2022, which prioritizes partnerships in emerging markets to scale vaccine accessibility.

In a recent corporate update, the company highlighted efforts to diversify its vaccine pipeline and strengthen regional manufacturing networks in collaboration with public health authorities.

These initiatives position SK bioscience to play an expanding role in shaping localized vaccine ecosystems across Latin America and other developing regions.