SK bioscience collaborates with Colombia’s government-led $260 M vaccine localisation initiative
May 27, 2026 | Wednesday | News
Enables SK bioscience to enter Latin America by manufacturing SKYVaricella
South Korea-based SK bioscience has signed an agreement with Colombia’s state-owned pharmaceutical company VECOL for vaccine technology transfer and local manufacturing cooperation as part of Colombia’s national vaccine localisation initiative.
The initiative is jointly led by Colombia’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the National Health Institute (Instituto Nacional de Salud, INS), and VECOL, with the goal of strengthening national vaccine self-sufficiency and public health preparedness. The project represents a major government-led initiative with a total investment of approximately $260 million over the next 10 years.
Under the framework, VECOL has been designated by the Colombian government as the lead implementing entity responsible for overall project execution, while SK bioscience will participate as the vaccine technology transfer and local manufacturing partner.
Prior to selecting SK bioscience, the Colombian government conducted a review process over approximately four years, evaluating multiple global vaccine manufacturers with experience in supplying WHO prequalified (PQ) vaccines. The assessment considered technological expertise, regulatory standards, quality competitiveness, collaboration capabilities, and long-term strategic alignment.
Under the agreement, SK bioscience will provide technology and know-how required for manufacturing facility development in Colombia, product introduction, regulatory approval, and production operations. VECOL will oversee facility establishment and operation, government licensing, linkage to the National Immunisation Programme (NIP), and coordination with public health authorities.
SKYVaricella, SK bioscience’s proprietary varicella vaccine, has been selected as the initial product for technology transfer. Based on SKYVaricella, SK bioscience plans to establish a local manufacturing and technology transfer system while exploring opportunities to expand cooperation into additional vaccine products in the future.
In addition, SK bioscience will secure preferential negotiation rights for vaccines to be introduced through the facility, including not only its own proprietary vaccines but also broader vaccine products that may be adopted by the Colombian government in the future.