[Livestock Newspaper Kim Young-gil Reporter]
“Gene recombination technology: A new paradigm for vaccine development”
Enhanced effectiveness and economic viability… Next-generation VLP foot-and-mouth disease vaccine under development.
Commercialization planned in 2–3 years… Establishing vaccine sovereignty through domestic production.
Watson R&D is working on a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine.
Kim Bong-yoon, CEO of Watson R&D, emphasized that “genetic recombination technology represents a new paradigm for vaccine development.”
He explained, “With the advancements in biotechnology, new vaccine manufacturing technologies like genetic recombination, DNA, mRNA, and plant vaccines have emerged. Among these, genetic recombination vaccines are more effective than traditional vaccines, can be produced rapidly, and are very cost-effective.”
CEO Kim said, “We are developing a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine by incorporating virus-like particle (VLP) technology with an E. coli expression system within this genetic recombination framework. This vaccine not only demonstrates high efficacy and safety but also offers numerous advantages such as low production costs and ease of mass production. Importantly, the manufacture of the foot-and-mouth disease vaccine can be accomplished even within the current containment facility (BSL2).”
“I studied molecular biology and genetic engineering in college. After that, I completed my doctorate abroad and worked extensively in research at a research institute. Leveraging this experience, I founded Watson R&D in 2013, and since 2018, I have been developing a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine using advanced genetic recombination technology.”
CEO Kim noted, “In our country, we prevent foot-and-mouth disease through a mandatory vaccination policy for all cattle and pigs. However, all of these vaccines are imported. More than ten years have elapsed since the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and despite numerous national efforts to produce vaccines locally, domestic production remains elusive. It is particularly unfortunate that hundreds of billions of won in national wealth are being spent abroad every year,” he explained regarding his decision to pursue the development of a domestic foot-and-mouth disease vaccine.
He stressed, “By achieving domestic production of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines, we can also address the emergency response to new strains of the virus and supply chain issues. ‘Vaccine sovereignty’ that is not influenced by external circumstances will be established.”
Representative Kim asserted that significant progress has been made in the development of the foot-and-mouth disease vaccine and that momentum is increasing.
He stated, “The efficacy and safety have already been confirmed in the laboratory. We are currently establishing the conditions for producing prototypes. The plan is to initiate and complete clinical trials next year, secure product approval by 2026, and launch a commercial vaccine in the latter half of 2026 or by 2027.”
“I have received valuable guidance from the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Research Center of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency regarding the direction of vaccine development. Additionally, through collaborative research, we have identified alternatives that outperform existing vaccines in aspects such as abnormal meat. Several national projects have also been instrumental in securing research funding.”
CEO Kim mentioned that VLP technology using the E. coli expression system is notable for its high scalability, and in the future, the company aims to expand its activities to include vaccines for porcine circovirus, African swine fever, and severe thrombocytopenia syndrome virus.
“We are committed to developing and launching exceptional animal vaccines to foster a disease-free livestock industry in Korea. We will also venture into the global market to showcase the quality of Korean animal vaccines.”
Kim Young-gil
O+A 2-valent VLP foot-and-mouth disease vaccine utilizing domestically isolated strains
Addressing the issue of abnormal meat through non-oil adjuvant intradermal injection
The foot-and-mouth disease vaccine under development by Watson R&D is an O+A type 2 VLP vaccine.
Utilizing a domestically isolated strain, it is more effective against foot-and-mouth disease viruses that are prevalent in the country.
Additionally, a non-oily adjuvant has been incorporated to minimize concerns about side effects. An intradermal vaccine is also being developed.
It has demonstrated high efficacy and safety, including antibody formation, immune sustainability, and management of abnormal meat.
Furthermore, this vaccine employs a VLP design using an E. coli expression system, which facilitates low production costs, mass production capabilities, and effective emergency responses.
Watson R&D has filed several patents related to VLP, including methods for producing a VLP bivalent vaccine and a VLP vaccine platform.
Livestock Newspaper, CHUKSANNEWS
Advancements in Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination: A Game Changer for Livestock Health
[축산신문 김영길 기자]
Gene Recombination Technology: A New Paradigm for Vaccine Development
Watson R&D is at the forefront of developing innovations in foot-and-mouth disease immunization. CEO Kim Bong-yoon has highlighted the potential of genetic recombination technology as a revolutionary approach in the vaccine landscape. “With the advancement of biotechnology,” he stated, “new vaccine manufacturing technologies such as genetic recombination, DNA, mRNA, and plant vaccines are emerging. Among these, genetic recombination vaccines are proving to be more effective than traditional vaccines, are produced rapidly, and offer significant cost advantages.”
Understanding Virus-Like Particle (VLP) Technology
The latest foot-and-mouth disease vaccine in development incorporates advanced VLP technology harnessed through an E. coli expression system. Kim explained that this innovative approach not only ensures safety and efficacy but also presents numerous benefits:
- High Efficacy: The vaccine exhibits strong protective responses against foot-and-mouth disease.
- Cost-Effective Production: Leveraging the E. coli expression system allows for reduced production costs.
- Mass Production Capabilities: This method facilitates easy mass production, crucial in emergency scenarios.
- BSL2 Compliance: The vaccine can be produced in current containment facilities without additional investments.
The Need for Domestic Vaccine Production
In the context of Korea’s ongoing challenges with foot-and-mouth disease, Kim highlighted the dependency on imported vaccines, lamenting the outflow of national wealth. “Over 10 years have passed since the initial outbreak, and despite national efforts to facilitate domestic production, we remain reliant on foreign sources,” Kim stated. The initiative by Watson R&D focuses on establishing ‘vaccine sovereignty,’ ensuring that the country can respond independently and effectively to the emergence of new variants of the virus.
Clinical Development Timeline and Expectations
| Milestone | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Start Clinical Trials | Next Year |
| Obtain Product Approval | 2026 |
| Commercial Vaccine Launch | Second Half of 2026 or 2027 |
Kim revealed that significant progress has been made in the lab, showcasing efficacy and safety of the vaccine prototypes. Currently, Watson R&D is establishing production conditions and nearing the initiation of clinical trials.
Benefits of the O+A 2-Valent VLP Vaccine
The forthcoming O+A type 2 VLP foot-and-mouth disease vaccine is particularly notable for several reasons:
- Use of Domestically Isolated Strains: This approach ensures a higher efficacy against viruses prevalent in the local environment.
- Reduced Side Effects: The incorporation of a non-oily adjuvant aims to minimize adverse reactions in livestock.
- Intradermal Application: The development of intradermal vaccine delivery is expected to enhance immune response while simplifying administration.
Research Collaborations Driving Innovation
Watson R&D’s alignment with the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Research Center has been instrumental in steering its development strategy. The collaboration has led to breakthroughs in managing abnormal meat issues and bolstered funding through national projects. “The support has been invaluable for securing the necessary resources for advancing our research,” Kim said.
Future Prospects in Animal Vaccination
As part of their long-term strategic plan, Watson R&D is looking to expand beyond foot-and-mouth disease vaccinations. Plans are underway to develop vaccines for:
- Porcine Circovirus
- African Swine Fever
- Severe Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus
Kim emphasizes the company’s commitment to enhancing the health of the Korean livestock industry through the development of high-quality vaccines, aiming to eventually penetrate global markets and showcase the prowess of Korean innovations in animal vaccine technology.
Conclusion
With Watson R&D’s relentless pursuit of innovation coupled with responsible domestic production initiatives, the future of foot-and-mouth disease vaccination is set to transform, promising substantial advancements in livestock health and industry sustainability.
