Seoul: South Korea has developed the world's first recombinant protein-based anthrax vaccine, marking a significant step toward self-sufficiency and potential export opportunities, the government announced. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), in collaboration with GC Biopharma Corp., created the vaccine which reduces the risk of exposure to toxins from Bacillus anthracis, a high-risk pathogen linked to bioterrorism.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the vaccine, named Barythrax inj., received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in April. This approval allows South Korea to manufacture its own supply, ending its dependency on imports. During a press conference, KDCA director general Kim Gab-jung emphasized the importance of proactive national response capabilities against infectious diseases, highlighted by recent pandemics.
Kim noted that the development would cut down vaccine import costs and enable quicker responses to national emergencies such as bioterrorism. While the vaccine is not specifically aimed at potential threats from North Korea, it is designed for broader public health crisis preparedness. South Korea previously relied on the U.S.-made Biothrax vaccine from Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
The KDCA and GC Biopharma foresee overseas demand for Barythrax, especially from countries lacking their own production capabilities. Anthrax remains a concern globally, with recent outbreaks reported in Zambia, Uganda, Laos, Thailand, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lee Jae-woo, GC Biopharma's chief development officer, stated plans to enhance product competitiveness and marketing for global export.
The KDCA initiated anthrax vaccine research in 1997, with GC Biopharma joining in 2002, investing a total of 30 billion won (US$22 million). Barythrax uses a non-toxin-producing strain of Bacillus brevis to produce protective antigen (PA), reducing exposure to toxins and side effects.
No anthrax cases have been reported in South Korea since it became a notifiable disease in 2000. GC Biopharma exports varicella and influenza vaccines and specialty drugs, with significant revenue from these exports contributing to its annual sales.