[비즈한국] SK Bioscience is accelerating preparations for the commercialization of ‘GBP410,’ a 21-valent pneumococcal vaccine currently being co-developed with global pharmaceutical giant Sanofi. Following Sanofi's preemptive trademark filings in overseas markets such as Europe and the United States, SK Bioscience has also filed for the same series of trademarks with the Korean Intellectual Property Office to secure rights to potential product names.
According to the Intellectual Property Office on the 20th, SK Bioscience filed for 12 English trademarks on the 14th under Class 5 (pharmaceuticals, vaccines, etc.), including △VAQNUMO, △LEXNOUMO, △EMNUVAQ, △IPEDVAQ, △VAXLUBEY, △VAXNUBO, △BEYTULDIA, △SUPPYMO, △KIDPOMFI, △KYDSURA, △PEDFENZI, and △KWOBEBI.
These trademarks are identical to the names previously filed in France by Sanofi R&D Vaccine, a vaccine research and development subsidiary of Sanofi. After making the initial filings through the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) in France, Sanofi expanded the scope of protection to the U.S., U.K., and other regions through international registrations with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The move suggests that after its global partner, Sanofi, filed for multiple brand candidates abroad, SK Bioscience has followed suit to secure domestic trademark rights. It is interpreted as a proactive step to prepare for future brand strategies ahead of the global launch of GBP410.
The filed trademarks clearly indicate a focus on the pneumococcal vaccine market and the infant and pediatric demographics.
The names VAXNUBO, VAXLUBEY, VAQNUMO, and EMNUVAQ incorporate "VAX" or "VAQ," which are evocative of vaccines. VAQNUMO, LEXNOUMO, and SUPPYMO contain combinations of "NUMO," "NOUMO," and "PYMO," which are reminiscent of pneumococcal vaccines.
IPEDVAQ and PEDFENZI utilize "PED," evoking the word "Pediatric." KYDSURA and KIDPOMFI include expressions reminiscent of "Kids" or "Kid," while KWOBEBI mimics the word "Baby."
Analysts suggest that given the high frequency of names combining elements related to vaccines, pneumococcus, and infants/children, these represent brand candidates tailored to the primary target audience for GBP410.
It has been confirmed that all 12 trademarks were first filed in France by Sanofi R&D Vaccine. IPEDVAQ was filed on October 1 of last year, while VAXNUBO, VAXLUBEY, VAQNUMO, and LEXNOUMO were filed on the 2nd of the same month, and PEDFENZI and EMNUVAQ on October 24. Sanofi has internationally registered some of these and expanded the scope of protection to designated countries including the U.K. BEYTULDIA, KWOBEBI, KYDSURA, SUPPYMO, and KIDPOMFI were also filed in France on May 8 of this year.
Notably, the "SKY" brand, which SK Bioscience has used for its own vaccines, is absent. This suggests that the companies are considering English combination-style brands that are easier to use across different countries, given that the vaccine is a co-development project to be distributed via Sanofi's global network.
The two companies are sharing the R&D costs for GBP410, while Sanofi is covering the expenses required for commercialization. After product approval, SK Bioscience will be responsible for domestic sales, while Sanofi will handle global sales outside of Korea.
SK Bioscience currently holds its own branded vaccines, including the flu vaccine ‘SKYCellflu,’ the shingles vaccine ‘SKYZoster,’ the chickenpox vaccine ‘SKYVaricella,’ and the COVID-19 vaccine ‘SKYCovione.’
GBP410 is a pneumococcal vaccine candidate produced using the protein conjugate method, covering 21 serotypes. Currently, global Phase 3 clinical trials are underway in the U.S., Europe, and Korea, involving approximately 7,700 infants, children, and adolescents ranging from 6 weeks to 17 years old. The two companies aim to secure interim results next year and launch the product in the global market by 2029.
Competition for high-priced vaccines covering 20 or more serotypes is intensifying in the global pneumococcal vaccine market. Pfizer’s 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ‘Prevnar 20’ is already in use in major markets, and MSD has developed the 21-valent vaccine ‘Capvaxive,’ which has received approval in the U.S. and Europe. Capvaxive is characterized by its inclusion of 21 serotypes, expanding the scope of prevention to include serotypes that were relatively poorly covered by existing vaccines. Consequently, competition in the pneumococcal vaccine market is expanding beyond simply increasing the number of serotypes to focus on which specific serotypes to include and how to achieve broader protective effects across all age groups, including children.
Growth is also continuing. According to the market research firm Mordor Intelligence, the global pneumococcal vaccine market was valued at approximately $9.23 billion (KRW 12.82 trillion) last year and is expected to grow at an annual average rate of 4.95% to $12.33 billion (KRW 17.13 trillion) by 2031.
SK Bioscience has also established the commercial production foundation for GBP410. Last year, it expanded the production wing at its ‘L-HOUSE’ vaccine plant in Andong, Gyeongbuk, securing approximately 4,200 square meters of production facilities for GBP410. It also plans to pursue current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the future.
An official from SK Bioscience stated, "Development is not yet complete, and nothing regarding the name has been finalized," exercising caution.