The SKYCovione vaccine has been authorized for a two-dose schedule on people aged 18 or over, with injections spaced four weeks apart, according to the Ministry of Food Safety and Medicines.
In a Phase III clinical trial in 4,037 adults, SKYCovione induced neutralizing antibody responses against the parent strain of SARS-CoV-2, SK bioscience said in a statement.
It is not yet known how effective it is against Omicron and other COVID variants.
The vaccine was jointly developed by the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design, with support from global drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
SK bioscience said it would seek authorizations for distribution of SKYCovione in other countries and through the global vaccine-sharing facility COVAX, and for inclusion on the United Nations Emergency Use List. ‘World Health Organization.
South Korean authorities have agreed a 200 billion won ($155 million) deal to purchase 10 million doses of the vaccine, which can be stored under normal refrigeration conditions, and have previously said that ‘they expected it to be deployed from the second half of the year.
SK bioscience is now investigating its possible use for booster shots, and is planning trials for adolescents and children, he added.
According to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, nearly 87% of the 52 million South Koreans are fully immunized, and 65% have also received a booster shot.
($1 = 1,293.2800 won)