Lee Yoo-kyung, head of vaccine research and development at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, makes a presentation at the Fall Conference of the Korean Vaccine Society held at Konkuk University on the 7th. Reporter Park Jeong-yeon, Dong-a Science hesse@donga.com
Although the vaccine R&D budget was expanded in the medical field, it was pointed out that the distribution was inefficient.
As the number of government institutions receiving subsidies is plentiful, the amount allocated to individual projects is decreasing, and researchers are also not sure which institution to participate in.
Kim Woo-joo, president of the Korean Vaccine Society, said at the Fall Conference of the Korean Vaccine Society held at Konkuk University on the 7th, “Vaccine development investment support is increasing, but I have doubts regarding whether it will produce results.” “Too many government ministries, institutions and industries “The money is being spread out,” he said.
He said, “As the budget is split into several projects, the size of individual projects is shrinking, and researchers are also confused regarding which projects to apply for. there will be,” he said.
The government will invest regarding 526.5 billion won in clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment and vaccine this year. It also set a goal to develop an mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine platform by 2023.
Even government agencies that have difficulties in carrying out vaccine development support projects are emerging. Lee Yoo-kyung, head of vaccine research and development at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, announced at the conference, “The public vaccine development support center is experiencing difficulties in support projects. To increase participation and interest, we are putting in a lot of effort, such as conducting a survey directly asking regarding support policies.”
The goal of the Public Vaccine Development Support Center established in 2020 is to develop and support domestic vaccines and vaccine platforms for various diseases such as infectious diseases. Equipment and facilities are provided from the candidate material discovery stage to the vaccine development stage and export process, but few researchers know the role of these institutions.
It is also pointed out that the budget allocated to the public vaccine development support center is insufficient. The budget allocated to this center has doubled from 5 billion won this year to 9.9 billion won next year, but it is not enough considering the cost of developing vaccines or vaccine platforms, which usually cost hundreds of billions of won. Chairman Kim Woo-joo pointed out, “Most vaccine development projects currently underway by the government lack both time and funds.”
Experts point out that in order for vaccine R&D infrastructure to grow, systematic investment must be made in each process.
Kim Seong-soon, head of the National Institute of Health’s Public Vaccine Development Support Center, announced at the conference, “When we analyzed the reasons why Korea delayed vaccine development compared to other countries at the time of Corona 19, it was found that there was a shortage of institutions, special laboratories, and specialists capable of conducting non-clinical trials.” “It is important to set priorities for R&D in order to quickly develop a vaccine once morest a new infectious disease,” he said.
“According to the national vaccine strategy roadmap, it is necessary for academia, research institutes, companies, and government ministries to cooperate in solidarity and to divide and implement clear roles.”
