SK Bioscience said Monday it has signed a licensing agreement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop an injectable rotavirus vaccine, strengthening its global vaccine portfolio and expanding its presence in the international public health market.
Under the agreement, SK Bioscience will acquire rights to a CDC-developed injectable rotavirus vaccine candidate and conduct process development aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency. If development is successful, the company plans to advance the program through clinical trials, regulatory approvals and commercialization.
The CDC has already completed Phase 1 clinical testing of the inactivated injectable rotavirus vaccine technology. SK Bioscience said it intends to rapidly advance the program by establishing a manufacturing process designed to enhance vaccine performance while reducing production costs.
Research funding for process development will be jointly supported with a global health foundation. In June 2025, SK Bioscience signed a funding agreement with the RIGHT Foundation to support research and development related to the rotavirus vaccine program.
Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration in children under age 5. According to research from Johns Hopkins University, diarrheal diseases remain a major contributor to childhood mortality worldwide, with rotavirus among the most significant causes.
While widespread vaccination programs have dramatically reduced infections in higher-income countries, the burden of severe rotavirus disease remains concentrated in low- and middle-income nations, highlighting the need for broader vaccine access.
According to market research firm Business Research Insights, the global rotavirus vaccine market is projected to grow from approximately $8.1 billion in 2024 to nearly $13.9 billion by 2033.
“This partnership allows us to contribute to solving critical global health challenges using innovative technology developed by the CDC,” said Ahn Jae-yong, president and CEO of SK Bioscience. “We will continue fulfilling our role as a company helping drive the transformation of global public health.”
The company has been expanding its vaccine portfolio through products including the influenza vaccine SkyCellflu and the shingles vaccine SkyZoster, as well as ongoing pneumococcal vaccine development programs.
Industry observers view the rotavirus vaccine initiative as part of SK Bioscience’s broader strategy to secure new growth drivers and strengthen its position in global public-sector vaccine markets.