보건복지부 영문홈페이지

「Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing」

Launching 2023 Introductory Course for Biologics Development and Biomanufacturing

Targeting 235 bio professionals from 47 LMICs and the Republic of Korea

A two-week training course starting on June 19th at Seoul National University Siheung Campus, operated by IVI

Planning to strengthen collaboration with WHO, ADB, IDB, etc. and increase hands-on training opportunities

 

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Minister Cho, KyooHong) launched the ‘Introductory Course for Biologics Development and Biomanufacturing’, targeting 235 bio-R&D and production personnel from 47 Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and the Republic of Korea. Entering the second year of 「Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B)」supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), this training program takes place at Seoul National University Siheung Campus for two weeks from June 19th.

To strengthen local production capabilities of vaccines and biologics in response to COVID-19, the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) established the ‘GTH-B’ with support from WHO, which had designated Korea as the only country to serve as a hub.

Compared to last year, there has been a growing interest in this year’s training, leading to an increase in the number of participating countries and trainees. The curriculum is designed to be more diverse, including lectures and discussions on biologics development and manufacturing with competent instructors from home and abroad, case studies, convention programs with local manufacturers, and field trips to biomanufacturing facilities. The training is operated by the International Vaccine Institute (IVI).

Over the past year, a total of 754 trainees from 43 countries (including 68 trainees from Korea) received training through the GTH-B to strengthen biomanufacturing capacity for pandemic preparedness. This year, the GTH-B plans to provide various training programs including theoretical, hands-on, and online courses to a total of 1,000 trainees. Through expanding collaboration with WHO as well as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and other international organizations, the number of trainees will be even more increased. Furthermore, specialized facilities for the Global Bio Campus will be established, enabling Korea to fulfill its responsible role as a biohealth hub.

 

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Minister Cho, KyooHong) launched the ‘Introductory Course for Biologics Development and Biomanufacturing’, targeting 235 bio-R&D and production personnel from 47 Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and the Republic of Korea. Entering the second year of 「Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B)」supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), this training program takes place at Seoul National University Siheung Campus for two weeks from June 19th.

To strengthen local production capabilities of vaccines and biologics in response to COVID-19, the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) established the ‘GTH-B’ with support from WHO, which had designated Korea as the only country to serve as a hub.

In 2022, the first year of GTH-B, training for building vaccine and biomanufacturing capacity was successfully provided to a total of 754 trainees from 43 countries (including 68 trainees from Korea) through rapid preparations even in a short period of time. In collaboration with WHO, two sessions of theoretical courses on biologics development and manufacturing as well as standard practice were provided to trainees from LMICs. Additionally, two sessions of theoretical and hands-on trainings on vaccine manufacturing were offered to Asia Pacific countries through collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The training programs received high satisfaction ratings (above 4.5 points out of 5.0) from trainees and got positive feedback as highly successful training from relevant organizations such as WHO.

Last October, Karim Mtengai, a trainee from a biomanufacturing company in Tanzania, highlighted the importance of training with practical application, stating “This training fully met my expectations. Trainings on ‘biologics standard practice’ are crucial, ranging from organization and case studies to excellent mentors. It is especially important in designing vaccine manufacturing facilities.”

Samia Rourou from the Institut Pasteur de Tunis also stated “I obtained excellent advice, knowledge and feedback from experts and fellow participants in this training,” expressing his aspirations to “gradually expand biomanufacturing capacity even in a challenging environment (of a less developed country).”

This year, the GTH-B plans to provide various training programs including theoretical, hands-on, and online courses to a total of 1,000 trainees. The curriculum includes basic courses required for vaccine and biopharmaceutical development such as Immunology, Vaccine Technology, Process Development, Clinical Development, Product Development, Talent Development, etc. They are designed to be more diverse and practical with lectures and discussions by competent instructors from home and abroad, case studies, convention programs with local manufacturers, and field trips to biomanufacturing facilities. The training is operated by the International Vaccine Institute (IVI).

Considering the opinions of the trainees, some courses have been converted into online courses to facilitate convenient participation, and the training schedule is designed to deepen their experiences and knowledge while staying in Korea by allocating sufficient time for discussions or Q&A sessions.

Since last January, the Korean government has collaborated with WHO and IVI to recruit trainees, making efforts to ensure balanced participation from various countries, and selected a total of 235 final trainees. The trainees are mainly composed of current employees of public and private companies as well as government offices and public organizations specializing in vaccines and biologics within the LMICs. The trainees also include diverse participants such as current employees of relevant industries, researchers, and job seekers in Korea.

After completing the training, the trainees will be assigned to vaccine manufacturing sites of relevant companies or government offices in their home countries, and are expected to take on major roles in the building of a biomanufacturing base, research, education, and the supply of vaccines.

The kickoff ceremony to mark the start of this training was held at 10 a.m. on June 19th (Monday) at the Seoul National University Siheung Campus Yeonsu-dong & Convention Center.

During his congratulatory remarks at the ceremony, Director-General Hwang Seunghyun of the Global Vaccine Hub Office at the MoHW highlighted the importance of the GTH-B and expansion plans, stating ‘I hope this training will contribute to enhancing the vaccine and biomanufacturing capacity in LMICs,’ and added ‘As entering the second year of GTH-B, Korea will spare no effort to build infrastructure such as the Global Bio Campus, increase hands-on trainings, and collaborate with international organizations to develop a sustainable global vaccine manufacturing workforce.’

Director General Jerome Kim of IVI also commented, ‘Through the GTH-B project, we provide high-quality biomanufacturing training by creating synergy effect between Korea’s excellent bio-industry infrastructure and IVI‘s global capabilities.’

The Korean government aims to solidify the foundation of GTH-B and will make every effort to provide high-level training as a global leader in biohealth by increasing essential trainings to strengthen biomanufacturing capacity in LMICs.

In addition, cooperation with international organizations such as WHO, various governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be further expanded to improve the status of the hub and provide training programs that meet global demands. To this end, the Korean government signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the GTH-B with WHO following the World Health Assembly (WHA) last May, and plans to launch and increase training programs through collaboration with ADB, IDB, and other organizations. ///