What SK Bioscience does

SK Bioscience is a South Korea-based vaccine development and manufacturing company that operates a dual business model as both an innovator of proprietary vaccines and a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). Founded in 2015 as a subsidiary of SK Group and listed on KOSPI under ticker 302440, the company maintains its global R&D center in Songdo, Incheon and a manufacturing facility in Andong, while extending its global footprint through the 60%-owned German CDMO IDT Biologika (acquired October 2024 for approximately $244 million). Its commercial product portfolio includes SKYCellflu (quadrivalent influenza vaccine), SKYVaricella (WHO-prequalified varicella vaccine), and SKYCovione (the first AI-designed COVID-19 vaccine approved globally), supported by a pipeline spanning pneumococcal (GBP410 with Sanofi, Phase 3), universal coronavirus (GBP511, Phase 1/2), mRNA Japanese encephalitis (GBP560 with CEPI, Phase 1/2), and a licensed RSV monoclonal antibody (RSM01 from Gates Medical Research Institute).

The company generates revenue through four primary streams: direct vaccine product sales to governments and international procurement organizations (UNICEF, PAHO), CDMO services via IDT Biologika targeting approximately $294.86 million in 2025, co-development milestone payments (notably a €50 million upfront from Sanofi for GBP410), and technology transfer/licensing agreements such as the $260 million 10-year VECOL partnership in Colombia. Its go-to-market is almost exclusively B2B-institutional, selling through government procurement contracts, multilateral organizations, and strategic co-development with major pharmaceutical companies, rather than commercial channels. The technology stack spans recombinant protein, viral vector, and mRNA platforms, with WHO prequalification, FDA-aligned manufacturing through IDT, and partnerships with CEPI, Gates Foundation, KDCA, and US CDC providing regulatory and scientific validation.

Financially, SK Bioscience reported KRW 451.3 billion (~$315 million) in 2025 revenue, up sharply from KRW 181.2 billion in 2024, reflecting IDT Biologika consolidation and new product launches; EBITDA remains negative as the company funds late-stage clinical development. The company has secured approximately $300 million in non-dilutive government and multilateral funding since 2024, including a KRW 300 billion Korea Growth Fund facility in May 2026, positioning it for the GBP410 Phase 3 readout targeted for H2 2027.

Name

SK Bioscience

Legal name

SK 바이오사이언스(주)

Website

https://skbioscience.co.kr

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

SK Bioscience is a South Korean vaccine developer and CDMO that develops and manufactures proprietary vaccines (influenza, varicella, pneumococcal, RSV) for governments, UNICEF, and PAHO, and operates a global CDMO through its majority-owned German subsidiary IDT Biologika.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vaccines

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Infectious Disease & Pandemic Preparedness Vaccines (emerging pathogens) (HLAAAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vaccine Clinical Development & Regulatory Affairs (HLAIAEAM), Travel & Tropical Disease Vaccines (HLAIAEAE), mRNA & Nucleic Acid Manufacturing Services (mRNA/saRNA/Plasmid DNA) (HLAGAGAC), Clinical Development & Regulatory for Vaccines (trials, pharmacovigilance, lot release) (HLAAAEAK)

Keywords

• Vaccine development
• Vaccine manufacturing
• Biopharmaceutical products
• CDMO services
• Infectious disease prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Vaccine Product Sales: Direct sales of proprietary vaccines including SKYVaricella (varicella), SKYCellflu (influenza quadrivalent), and pipeline vaccines upon approval. Revenue from government procurement contracts and international organization supply agreements.
2. Contract Development and Manufacturing (CDMO): CDMO services through IDT Biologika subsidiary for vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, serving global pharmaceutical companies. Target of approximately $294.86 million annual revenue with plans to double sales by 2028.
3. Co-development and Milestone Payments: Partnership revenue from Sanofi for GBP410 (pneumococcal vaccine) Phase 3 development, including €50 million upfront payment with potential additional milestones. Also includes R&D partnerships with Gates MRI and CEPI.
4. Technology Licensing and Transfer: Technology transfer agreements such as VECOL partnership in Colombia ($260 million, 10-year initiative) where SK provides manufacturing know-how and gains preferential negotiation rights for future vaccines.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SK Bioscience develops, manufactures, and commercializes vaccines targeting infectious diseases including varicella (SKYVaricella), influenza (SKYCellflu, Skiflu), and COVID-19 (SKYCovione), alongside a clinical pipeline covering pneumococcal disease (GBP410), universal coronavirus (GBP511), RSV (RSM01), and Japanese encephalitis (GBP560). The company also operates a global contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) business through its majority-owned German subsidiary IDT Biologika, serving other pharmaceutical companies with vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing services.

Product overview

SK Bioscience is a South Korean biopharmaceutical company specializing in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing. The company operates both as an innovator and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), maintaining a diversified vaccine portfolio targeting influenza (SKYCellflu), varicella (SKYVaricella), COVID-19 (SKYCovione), pneumococcal diseases (GBP410), coronavirus variants (GBP511), RSV (RSM01), and Japanese encephalitis (GBP560). The pipeline includes products in various development stages from pre-clinical to Phase 3, leveraging recombinant protein technology, mRNA platforms, and viral vector platforms. The company competes globally against pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer, Moderna, GSK, and Sanofi while holding a leading position in South Korea's biotech sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SKYVaricella: Lyophilized two-dose live-attenuated varicella (chickenpox) vaccine developed using the Oka strain, targeting enhanced safety and prolonged antibody persistence for pediatric immunization programs.
• Skiflu
• SKYCellflu
• SKYCovione

Products and services

• SKYVaricella A lyophilized two-dose live-attenuated varicella (chickenpox) vaccine developed using the Oka strain, targeting enhanced safety and prolonged antibody persistence for pediatric immunization programs. WHO prequalified.
• SKYCellflu A quadrivalent influenza vaccine recognized as a next-generation world-class product, exporting to Southern Hemisphere markets including Latin America and Southeast Asia for seasonal influenza immunization.
• Skiflu A recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine in SK Bioscience's product portfolio for influenza prevention.
• SKYCovione COVID-19 vaccine and the first AI-designed vaccine approved globally, developed in partnership with US CDC with CEPI support, used as the foundation technology for the GBP511 universal coronavirus vaccine.
• GBP410 A 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate co-developed with Sanofi, currently in global Phase 3 clinical trials targeting top-line data in H2 2027 for prevention of pneumococcal disease.
• GBP511 A universal coronavirus (pan-sarbecovirus) vaccine candidate targeting SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses, combining SKYCovione technology with nanoparticle design from the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design; first universal sarbecovirus vaccine to enter clinical trials.
• RSM01 A clinical-stage monoclonal antibody for prevention of RSV infection in infants, licensed from Gates Medical Research Institute with exclusive worldwide commercialization rights for high-income countries.
• GBP560 An mRNA-based Japanese encephalitis vaccine candidate in global Phase 1/2 clinical trials in Australia, developed with CEPI support of up to $40 million for pandemic preparedness applications.
• IDT Biologika CDMO Services Contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services for vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, serving global pharmaceutical companies through the German-based IDT Biologika subsidiary with FDA/EMA-aligned capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• First AI-designed vaccine (SKYCovione) approved globally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered significant, core, major, prestigious, expanding, innovative and important.

• US CDCsignificantTechnology or Integration · 9 June 2026Licensing agreement with US CDC to develop an injectable rotavirus vaccine to improve efficacy and reduce costs compared to oral vaccines. Clinical trial support provided by CDC and Research Investment for Global Health Technology Foundation. Vaccine aims to offer better protection for children in low- and middle-income countries where oral vaccines are less effective. Global rotavirus vaccine market projected to grow significantly by 2033.
• UNICEFcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 June 2026Designated as supplier of influenza vaccines for UNICEF's 2026 immunization programs, delivering approximately 640,000 doses to multiple countries across both hemispheres including Laos, Myanmar, Fiji, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Albania, and Palestine. SK bioscience was selected as UNICEF's sole supplier for the Southern Hemisphere program and a major supplier for the Northern Hemisphere program, representing an expansion into global public procurement markets.
• SanoficoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Co-development partnership for GBP410, a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate currently in global Phase 3 clinical trials. Sanofi provided €50 million upfront payment (total deal KRW 75.5 billion) with plans to target domestic market for RSV and Hepatitis A prevention medicines. Expansion of partnership to develop next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccines targeting top-line data H2 2027.
• VECOL (Colombia)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026Vaccine technology transfer and local manufacturing agreement as part of Colombia's $260 million national vaccine localization initiative over 10 years. SK bioscience provides technology, manufacturing know-how, and regulatory expertise for SKYVaricella production while VECOL oversees facility establishment and government licensing. Initial product is WHO-prequalified SKYVaricella with 950,000 doses committed for 2026 National Immunization Program (600,000 confirmed PAHO orders). Partnership grants SK bioscience preferential negotiation rights for future vaccines at the new facility.
• IVI (International Vaccine Institute)prestigiousStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2026Joint hosting of IVI-SK bioscience Park MahnHoon Award ceremony, often called 'the Nobel Prize of the vaccine industry,' honoring Walter A. Orenstein and DCVMN for contributions to global immunization and vaccine equity.
• IDT Biologika and Vaxxas (EU Consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026Consortium selected by European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) for Phase 1 next-generation influenza vaccine development funded by EU. Consortium will leverage Vaxxas' needle-free high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) technology to create vaccines for seasonal and pandemic influenza. €12.9 million allocated for Phase 1 research with potential funding up to €225 million for later-stage development. Targets premium European seasonal influenza vaccine market ($459 million) with plans to expand to Korea and US markets. This is first major public funding outcome following SK bioscience's acquisition of IDT Biologika.
• Gates Medical Research InstitutesignificantOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 3 February 2026License agreement to develop and commercialize RSM01, a clinical-stage monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention in infants. SK bioscience secured exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize in high-income countries with non-exclusive supply rights in India and Gavi-eligible countries alongside Global Access commitments. Phase 1a first-in-human study demonstrated safety and tolerability; Phase 1b trial in infants planned. Global RSV preventive antibodies market projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2032.
• Serbian Government and Frontier BiopharmaexpandingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2026MoU signed to support Serbia's vaccine manufacturing capabilities as part of global vaccine contract manufacturing market expansion valued at USD 2.37 billion in 2025.
• Institute for Protein Design, University of WashingtoninnovativeTechnology or Integration · 29 January 2026Collaboration combining SK bioscience's SKYCovione technology with University of Washington's nanoparticle design technology for development of GBP511, the first universal sarbecovirus vaccine to enter clinical trials. Global Phase 1/2 trial in Australia enrolling approximately 368 adults, evaluating safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity with Comirnaty as comparator. Supported by CEPI as part of pandemic preparedness efforts.
• KDCA (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)importantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2025Initiative to develop vaccines for high-risk avian influenza strains as part of Korea's national pandemic preparedness efforts.
• PAHO (Pan American Health Organization)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 March 2025Additional varicella vaccine orders secured through PAHO for Latin American national immunization programs, building on initial procurement contracts.
• IDT BiologikacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 2 October 2024Completed acquisition of 60% majority stake in German CDMO IDT Biologika from Klocke Group for approximately $244 million (€220 million). Acquisition enables expansion into European and US CDMO markets, doubles IDT Biologika's sales target by 2028, and provides end-to-end manufacturing capabilities aligned with FDA and EMA standards. IDT Biologika expected to achieve profitability in 2025 with approximately $294.86 million annual revenue target.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• GSK (GlaxoSmithKline): GSK is one of the world's largest vaccine manufacturers with established pneumococcal, influenza, and pediatric vaccine franchises, competing directly with SK Bioscience in varicella, pneumococcal, and global public procurement channels including UNICEF and PAHO.
• BioNTech: BioNTech is an mRNA platform leader with established COVID-19 vaccine success (Comirnaty with Pfizer) and is referenced as the comparator in SK Bioscience's GBP511 universal sarbecovirus Phase 1/2 trial. BioNTech's mRNA capabilities make it a direct platform competitor.
• Sanofi Pasteur: Sanofi's vaccines division is SK Bioscience's co-development partner on GBP410 (21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) and a direct competitor across influenza, pneumococcal, and other vaccine categories. Sanofi's global commercialization infrastructure and established vaccine portfolio make it the most relevant strategic peer.
• Moderna: Moderna is a leading mRNA platform competitor, particularly relevant given SK Bioscience's GBP560 mRNA-based Japanese encephalitis vaccine and universal coronavirus program (GBP511). Both companies are leveraging mRNA technology for infectious disease vaccines including pandemic preparedness.
• Pfizer: Pfizer is the dominant player in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (Prevnar 20 franchise) and competes directly with SK Bioscience's GBP410. Pfizer's global vaccine scale, established physician relationships, and pipeline make it the primary incumbent SK must displace in pneumococcal.
• Novavax: Novavax is a recombinant protein-based vaccine developer with a comparable technology platform to SK Bioscience's Skiflu and core vaccine programs. Both companies focus on protein nanoparticle approaches for infectious disease vaccines and serve global public health channels.
• Merck & Co. (MSD): MSD is SK Bioscience's partner on the CEPI-backed Ebola vaccine manufacturing program and competes directly in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (Vaxneuvance). MSD's established vaccine portfolio and global public health footprint make it a core comparable.

Emerging players

• Bharat Biotech: Bharat Biotech is an India-based vaccine manufacturer with WHO-prequalified products serving global public procurement channels (UNICEF, PAHO) similar to SK Bioscience. The company is a meaningful emerging market competitor in rotavirus, polio, and other LMIC-focused vaccine programs.
• Arcturus Therapeutics: Arcturus Therapeutics is an mRNA platform company developing vaccines and therapeutics with self-amplifying RNA technology. The company represents an emerging competitor in the mRNA vaccine space where SK Bioscience is investing through GBP560 (Japanese encephalitis) and other programs.

Regional players

• Daiichi Sankyo: Daiichi Sankyo is a Japanese pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturer with comparable vaccine portfolio and geographic positioning in Asia. The company operates influenza and infectious disease vaccines, making it a regional comparable for SK Bioscience's Asian market focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skbioscience

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SK Bioscience