SK bioscience, a global leader in vaccine and biotech innovation, has announced a strategic investment of $3 million in Fina Biosolutions (FinaBio), a promising US-based biotechnology company. This investment marks FinaBio’s first and only strategic investment, solidifying SK bioscience’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of vaccine technology.
Founded in 2006, FinaBio specializes in developing cutting-edge conjugate vaccines for pneumonia, meningococcal, typhoid, and other infectious diseases. The company has a strong track record of innovation, particularly with its proprietary E. coli expression system, FinaXpress, which enables the production of proteins previously difficult to produce in these bacteria. This includes critical carrier proteins like CRM 197, marketed as EcoCRM®, expanding access to this vital protein for vaccine development.
But FinaBio’s real strength lies in its next-generation conjugation technology. This site-specific technology targets the desired location for antigen binding, leading to significantly improved immunogenicity and productivity of the final vaccine. This technology has already attracted the attention of several global biotech companies and institutions, including The Serum Institute of India, The Chengdu Institute of Biology in China, and Inventprise in the US, who collaborate with FinaBio to access its conjugation technology and carrier proteins.
SK bioscience, already a significant player in the conjugate vaccine market with its own pneumococcal and typhoid vaccines, sees this investment as a key step in enhancing its portfolio and expanding its global reach. The company intends to actively utilize FinaBio’s CRM 197 technology to improve the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of its diverse conjugate vaccine offerings.
Dr. Andrew Lees, Founder and CEO of FinaBio, expressed his excitement about the investment, stating that it will accelerate the global commercialization of EcoCRM® (CRM 197) and enable the development of the next generation of conjugate vaccines. He also highlighted the importance of this partnership in promoting affordable and accessible vaccines for all.
Jaeyong Ahn, CEO and President of SK bioscience, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the company’s commitment to building partnerships with global companies at the forefront of vaccine innovation. He believes the long-term collaboration with FinaBio will drive the evolution of SK bioscience’s vaccine portfolio and strengthen its competitive edge in the global market.
This strategic investment in FinaBio is part of SK bioscience’s broader strategy to expand its global footprint and secure a leading position in the vaccine industry. Earlier this year, the company acquired a controlling stake in IDT Biologika, a top 10 global vaccine contract manufacturer, and signed a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) with Sunflower Therapeutics, a US biotech company specializing in yeast-based protein manufacturing technology. These strategic partnerships showcase SK bioscience’s commitment to investing in promising companies with exceptional technology and expertise to fuel its growth and solidify its position as a global leader in vaccine innovation.
