In February 2024 SK bioscience announced that the company had been granted prequalification (PQ) certification from WHO for SKYTyphoid, its typhoid conjugate vaccine. Jointly developed with IVI and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the vaccine uses the “purified Vi polysaccharide-diphtheria conjugate” method. It can be administered to infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. There are between 11 million and 20 million typhoid fever cases reported globally each year, resulting in around 120,000 to 160,000 deaths.
SKYTyphoid
The purified Vi polysaccharide-diphtheria conjugate method conjugates a polysaccharide of typhoid bacteria, serving as an antigen, to a diphtheria toxin protein, which serves as a carrier. This vaccine is expected to offer “comparable immunogenicity” and “long-term protection” through a single dose in comparison with existing oral live or polysaccharide typhoid vaccines.
WHO’s PQ ensures that the vaccine has complied with “stringent” procedures and protocols. SK bioscience states that the vaccine has already received an export license from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety thanks to the results of a Phase III study in Nepal. Now, with WHO’s seal of approval, SK bioscience “plans to target global markets”, focusing on public procurement markets, including major typhoid-endemic countries with “high demands”.
Vaccination critical to prevention
Jaeyong Ahn is SK bioscience’s CEO and is “pleased” that the “global collaboration to address the global vaccine supply imbalance and improve public health” has been “recognised” by this certification.
“We will make every effort to rapidly supply SKYTyphoid by obtaining approvals in countries.”
Dr Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI, reflected that “Typhoid fever is more prevalent in warmer temperatures”. Therefore, “climate change and the worrying rise of antimicrobial resistance are only adding to the threat” posed by the disease.
“Vaccination is critical to effective prevention and control of the disease. In collaboration with SK bioscience and other partners, IVI will continue endeavours to make this vaccine accessible to people who need it the most.”
We look forward to hearing more from Dr Kim and representatives from SK bioscience at the Congress in Washington this April. To join us there get your tickets today, and don’t forget to subscribe for more insights!
