文 The same method as NovaVax vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine disclosed “securing 20 million people”

The government will be able to secure 20 million copies of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) vaccine (NVX‑CoV2373) of the US NovaVax company. NovaVax vaccine is a product commissioned by SK Bioscience. With the recent progress in the’technology introduction’ contract between NovaVax and SK Bio, it has become possible to supply domestic production to the Korean government.

President Moon Jae-in visited the SK Bio factory in Andong, Gyeongbuk. I toured the COVID-19 vaccine production site. President Moon said, “The contract (between NovaVax and SK Bio) has a special meaning to receive not only production but also technology transfer,” he said. “It will play a big role in accelerating the development of our vaccines.”

If the purchase contract between the government and SK Bio is concluded, Korea will have a total of 76 million vaccines, including the contracts for the four existing pharmaceutical companies and CoVacs Facility (an international consultative body for joint purchase and distribution of vaccines). It is 146.7% of the population (5182 million). The NovaVax vaccine that the government is trying to secure is a traditional vaccine, unlike Pfizer, Modena, and AstraZeneca vaccines.

The NovaVax vaccine is a recombinant synthetic antigen vaccine. It is one of the most widely used vaccine methods by inducing an immune response by directly injecting an antigenic protein made using genetic recombination technology. Since the immune response may be low with only the recombinant antigen protein, a formulation containing an immune enhancing agent (aluminum salt, etc.) is generally required. It has been used for a long time and is known as a highly safe vaccine method. Recombinant vaccines include hepatitis B vaccine and human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV, cervical cancer vaccine). This method is also used for the Corona 19 vaccine, which is developed by SK Bioscience and is undergoing phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. Two doses should be given every 21 days. The neutralizing antibody (antibody production rate compared to plasma of the cure) is about 4 times higher than that of AstraZeneca (1 times), Pfizer (2 to 6 times), and Modena (2 to 4 times).

Pfizer Modena vaccine uses messenger RNA (mRNA). By injecting the surface antigen gene of the corona 19 virus in the form of RNA, it induces an immune response by producing a surface antigen protein in the body. This is the first method used as a human vaccine. It is advantageous for mass production and the vaccine effect reaches up to 95%, but it has the disadvantage that it requires ultra-low temperature distribution. There are experts who are concerned about safety because it is the first method to be used. Suspicion that’polyethylene glycol (PEG)’, a compound that wraps mRNA, causes allergic side effects has recently been raised. The AstraZeneca vaccine is the same as Janssen’s Ebola vaccine, which has been approved for interim use. By injecting the surface antigen gene of the Corona 19 virus into another virus (adenovirus, etc.) template, it generates a surface antigen protein in the body to induce an immune response. It has the advantage of being able to distribute at room temperature with 70% vaccine effectiveness.

NovaVax vaccine is currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trials. In September last year, it started phase 3 clinical trials in the UK (15,000 people) and the United States and Mexico (30,000 people) at the end of last year. The final clinical results will be reported in the first quarter of this year. So far, no serious side effects have been reported. However, since the clinical subject is 18 to 59 years old, it is necessary to confirm safety for the elderly. Compared to other vaccines, the start of phase 3 trials is delayed and can only be used after the second quarter.

NovaVax vaccine has strengths in transportation and distribution. Domestic SK Bio’s consignment production volume can be released. In the case of foreign products, it must be imported. Moreover, NovaVax can also be refrigerated (2-8 degrees of video). It is the level of cold chain (refrigerated distribution) used in Korea. Pfizer vaccines should have a distribution and storage network at -70 degrees Celsius and modena vaccines at -20 degrees Celsius. The validity period of NovaVax vaccine is expected to be 1-3 years.

An official from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained, “(NovaVax vaccine) can be stored for a longer period of time compared to other vaccines with a maximum expiration period of 6 months.”

In addition, it seems that it will be able to prepare for unexpected situations that occur during the corona 19 vaccination process. It is because the Korean government can decide when to distribute it because of the domestic production volume. For example, if an unexpected side effect is identified or stopped while inoculating a specific vaccine, another vaccine is needed right away. The situation becomes even more difficult if the supply and demand of vaccines originally decided to be imported are disrupted. At this time, it can be strategically filled with the volume of NovaVax and SK Bio.

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun said at a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters on the 12th, “The government has made efforts to introduce additional vaccines from another platform so that the public can be vaccinated with confidence.” Details will be reported in detail as soon as the contract is finalized.”

At the time, no specific pharmaceutical company was mentioned, but it was confirmed as a NovaVax vaccine.
Reporter Minwook Kim [email protected]