SK bioscience, Colombia Partner on Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative
SK bioscience has signed an agreement with Colombia’s state-owned pharmaceutical company VECOL to support vaccine technology transfer and local manufacturing, marking a significant step in the South American nation’s effort to strengthen domestic vaccine production and public health preparedness.
The partnership forms part of Colombia’s national vaccine localization initiative, a government-led program aimed at reducing dependency on imported vaccines and improving health sovereignty. The initiative is being jointly coordinated by Colombia’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the National Health Institute (Instituto Nacional de Salud, INS), and VECOL, with an estimated investment of approximately US$260 million over the next decade.
Under the agreement, VECOL will serve as the lead implementing agency responsible for overall project execution, while SK bioscience will contribute vaccine manufacturing technology, technical expertise, and operational know-how to support local production capabilities.
According to the companies, Colombia spent nearly four years evaluating global vaccine manufacturers before selecting SK bioscience as its strategic partner. Authorities reviewed multiple vaccine suppliers with experience in providing World Health Organization prequalified vaccines, assessing criteria including technological expertise, quality standards, regulatory compliance, long-term collaboration potential, and global procurement experience.
SK bioscience was ultimately selected due to its vaccine manufacturing capabilities, WHO prequalified vaccine portfolio, and experience in participating in international public procurement programs. The South Korean biotechnology company will support the establishment of manufacturing facilities, regulatory approval processes, product introduction, and operational systems required for local vaccine production.
As part of the initial phase of the partnership, SKYVaricella, SK bioscience’s proprietary varicella vaccine, has been chosen as the first product for technology transfer. The company plans to establish a localized manufacturing system in Colombia based on the vaccine while exploring opportunities to expand cooperation into additional vaccine products in the future.
The agreement also grants SK bioscience preferential negotiation rights for vaccines introduced through the facility, potentially extending beyond proprietary products to include additional vaccines adopted by Colombia’s government under public health programs.
Colombia represents one of Latin America’s major vaccine markets, supported by a government-backed immunization infrastructure. Following disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, governments across the region have increasingly prioritized domestic vaccine production to improve supply chain resilience and preparedness for future public health emergencies.
Colombia’s Ministry of Health described the agreement as a strategic milestone in strengthening national health sovereignty. Officials said the partnership extends beyond vaccine manufacturing by contributing to the rebuilding of scientific, technological, and industrial capabilities required to address future public health challenges independently. The ministry added that technology transfer, workforce development, and infrastructure investment would help reduce external dependence while enhancing research and innovation capabilities.
Gina Tambini Gómez, PAHO/WHO representative in Colombia, welcomed the initiative, saying the agreement supports a broader regional commitment among countries in the Americas to strengthen production capacities for health technologies. She added that PAHO continues to support efforts to improve manufacturing platforms, regulatory systems, and collaborative procurement mechanisms across the region.
Lucía Ayala, president of VECOL, described the partnership as a transformative opportunity for Colombia, emphasizing its role in strengthening scientific and technological expertise while building long-term public health capabilities.
Jaeyong Ahn, president and chief executive officer of SK bioscience, said the company would leverage its vaccine development and manufacturing expertise to support pandemic preparedness and sustainable vaccine supply networks in Latin America.
The partnership also aligns with SK bioscience’s broader “Glocalization” strategy, which combines global vaccine expertise with localized production partnerships tailored to regional healthcare needs. The company has expanded its footprint in Latin America in recent years, including through vaccine supply agreements with the Pan American Health Organization and technology transfer collaborations in markets such as Thailand.