보건복지부 영문홈페이지

To become a ‘Global Vaccine Hub’, with Korean diplomatic missions

‘글로벌 백신 허브화’ 주한외교단과 함께한다

PRESS RELEASE

June 15, 2022

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) held the K-Global Vaccine Hub Strategy Briefing at The Plaza Seoul on June 16 (Thu.) at 17:00. During the briefing, MOHW introduced World Bio Summit 2022 and Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing to diplomatic missions in Seoul.

The session was presided over by Deputy Minister Kangho LEE, head of MOHW’s Global Vaccine Hub office, with over 20 diplomats from 18 embassies* in Seoul in attendance, including those from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

* Republic of South Africa, Lao PDR, Morocco, Viet Nam, Brazil, Brunei, Senegal, Serbia, Sweden, Algeria, El Salvador, United Kingdom, European Union, Kenya, Colombia, Pakistan, France, Philippines

In the briefing, MOHW shared its plan for the World Bio Summit 2022, which will be convened in Seoul in October this year, and asked for the support of the diplomats in inviting key figures such as health ministers to the summit.

It then discussed the achievements of the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing project jointly developed in collaboration with WHO and requested support for encouraging participation in the global training programs in 2022 (about 370 trainees).

 

	< 2022 Global Training Program for Biomanufacturing>
① (Jun./Sept.) Vaccine Manufacturing Training for Asia-Pacific Countries * 3-week didactic training, 5-week hands-on training / 60 trainees from ADB Developing Member Countries ② (Jul.) Introductory Course for Biologics Development and Manufacturing * 2-week theory course, 120 trainees from LMICs / 30 from Korea ③ (Oct.) Introductory Course for Standard Practice * 3-week theory course, 200 trainees from LMICs / 100 from Korea

 

 

The Korean government and WHO will jointly host World Bio Summit 2022 in Seoul from October 25 to 26. The Summit will bring together global leaders in the vaccine and biologics field to discuss ‘The Future of Vaccine and Bio-health’ based on their experiences and lessons learned from COVID-19.

On the occasion of the event, world leaders ― heads of state and government, health ministers, heads of international organizations, representatives of vaccine and biopharmaceutical companies and private foundations, and experts on vaccines and infectious diseases ― will share the latest trends in vaccine and bio-health technologies in the post-COVID-19 era and discuss how to further strengthen the world’s ability to respond to potential infectious disease events.

The first day of the summit (Oct. 25, Tue.) will kick off with the opening ceremony with heads of state and government and international organizations participating, followed by CEO’s session of listening from representatives of vaccine and bio companies, who have taken the lead in the response to the global health crisis incurred by COVID-19. The day will conclude with a welcome dinner for distinguished guests from home and abroad.

The second day (Oct. 26, Wed.) will start with congratulatory messages by health ministers from around the world, followed by plenary sessions on various topics such as world training hub for biomanufacturing workforce, strategy and future investment in vaccine and biologics R&D, global preparation for the next pandemic, supply chain of vaccine, biologics and raw materials, global diagnostics development trends and prospects and global regulatory cooperation on vaccine and biologics.

The World Bio Summit will serve as a venue for Korea to guide the global vaccine and biologics agenda and lead the discussions on how to advance the global healthcare sector, while also contributing to strengthening global collaboration and governance in response to potential outbreaks of infectious diseases.

The summit will be an opportunity for Korea to embrace technological innovations and attract investments in infrastructure and promote strategic alliances between global and Korean companies, thereby driving the development of the domestic health industry and paving the way toward becoming a global bio-health powerhouse.

<Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing>

Since WHO designated Korea as the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing* this February, Korea has produced substantial outcomes working in collaboration with WHO, such as launching the Steering Committee (May) and the Vaccine Manufacturing Training for Asia-Pacific countries (Jun).

* Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing: A central institution for education and training on vaccine and biologics production to help low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) build their local vaccine manufacturing capability

Vaccine Manufacturing Training for Asia-Pacific countries, jointly developed in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is managed and operated by the K-NIBRT* in Songdo, Incheon and 35 trainees** from LMICs among the Developing Member Countries (DMCs) of ADB have joined this batch of the program which started on June 6.

* K-NIBRT(Korea National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training): An institution establishing education infrastructure approved under the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) system and operating training programs specialized for the bio-manufacturing workforce.

** East Timor 1, Lao PDR 1, Mongolia 1, Bangladesh 6, Viet Nam 7, Bhutan 2, Indonesia 3, Uzbekistan 3, Cambodia 2, Thailand 4, Pakistan 3, Philippines 2

MOHW stated its ambitions to bring in more partners such as the Asian Development Bank and establish programs benefiting African and South American countries, thereby contributing to LMICs enhancing their abilities to respond to infectious diseases.

In addition, MOHW has worked with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to conduct the Introductory course for biologics development and manufacturing (Jul. 18-29) and the Introductory course for standard practice (Oct.) for trainees from the recipients of mRNA technology* from the WHO mRNA technology transfer hub and LMICs with vaccine production facilities**.

* Bangladesh, Senegal, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Viet Nam, Argentina, etc.

** Rwanda, Ghana, Morocco, Malaysia, Panama, Thailand, Ethiopia, Uganda, etc.

In particular, over 120 trainees selected from some 30 countries in Asia, Africa, and South America, including Viet Nam, Senegal, Brazil, and Argentina, will participate in the basic course hosted by IVI in July. The course will cover immunology, epidemiology, production process technology, processing development, regulatory science, and clinical trial design, all of which are needed for the development of vaccines and pharmaceuticals.

“It is now time for Korea to prepare for potential future outbreaks of infectious diseases and take the initiative in the global healthcare sector agenda, leveraging its experiences and lessons learned from COVID-19,” said Deputy Minister LEE.

He further added, “Korea’s designation as Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing represents the global recognition of not only its biomanufacturing capacity but also its excellence in education and training infrastructure. The nation will also host the World Bio Summit 2022, where global leaders will come together to explore and suggest future directions for the international community.”

He also reiterated MOHW’s goal to develop the first-ever World Bio Summit 2022 into an annual event like the Davos Forum for the field of vaccines and bio-health and discuss the mid-to-long-term concerns and challenges facing the international community.

 

// For inquiries, contact Media Relations, Ministry of Health and Welfare

044-202-2047 fairytale@korea.kr

 

http://www.mohw.go.kr/react/al/sal0301vw.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=04&MENU_ID=0403&page=1&CONT_SEQ=371805