SK Chemicals : ‘SKYCellflu Quadrivalent,’ SK Chemicals’ Cell Cultured Flu Vaccination

- SK Chemicals Completed Production of 5.35 Million Doses, Up 7% from Last Year
- Distribution to be Started by the End of This Month across the Country and Vaccination Will be Started from Next Month

The world's 1st cell-cultured quadrivalent flu vaccine, which was developed by domestic technology, has completed shipment of this year's first volume.

SK Chemicals announced on the 28th that 'SKYCellflu Quadrivalent,' its quadrivalent cell-cultured flu vaccine, has been granted state shipment approval, the last step required for market release. Shipment of the product has begun from L House, SK Chemicals' vaccine factory located in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Prior to that, SK Chemicals completed production of 5.35 million doses of vaccine (1 dose = a quantity needed for one vaccination) to be used in Korea at the end of this year and early next year. This marks a 7% increase in production from last season's 5 million doses. All doses of last year's SK Chemicals' flu vaccine have been sold.

SK Chemicals will supply its shipped products to hospitals and medical centers across the nation starting this month and will conduct an aggressive marketing campaign.

SKYCellflu Quadrivalent is the world's 1st commercialized quadrivalent cell-cultured flu vaccine to prevent four types of flu viruses by a single vaccination. Since it is produced in a high-tech sterile culture medium at the world's best vaccine factory, no antibiotic or preservative is included. In addition, those who are allergic to eggs may be vaccinated without worry and the production period is shorter than competing versions of flu vaccine.

Quadrivalent vaccine protects against type A flu viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) and two types of type B viruses (Yamagata and Victoria). From the 2013-2014 season, health authorities, including the WHO and EMA, have recommended vaccination with a quadrivalent product since its flu-preventive effect exceeds that of trivalent vaccine.

Kyeong-Keun Kim, director of Vaccine Marketing Headquarters at SK Chemicals said, "Since flu is spreading across the region including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Myanmar, domestic demand for flu vaccination is also expected to grow. Our quadrivalent cell-cultured flu vaccine will promote public health based on its improved safety and efficacy in preventing infection by 4 flu viruses."