SK bioscience announced the submission of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial application in Australia for GBP511, a universal coronavirus vaccine candidate designed to provide broad protection against COVID-19 variants and the broader sarbecovirus family. The milestone represents a significant advancement in pandemic preparedness, moving beyond the strain-specific limitations of existing COVID-19 vaccines.
Novel Approach Targets Entire Sarbecovirus Family
GBP511 is engineered to protect against sarbecoviruses, a subgenus of coronaviruses that includes SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), the original SARS virus, and related variants. Unlike current COVID-19 vaccines that target specific strains, GBP511 aims to provide cross-protective immunity across the entire sarbecovirus family.
The vaccine candidate builds on SK bioscience's validated recombinant protein platform, which previously supported the approval of SKYCovione™—the world's first computer-generated vaccine and Korea's first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine—in 2022. GBP511 also incorporates self-assembling nanoparticle design technology from the UW Medicine's Institute for Protein Design (IPD).
Clinical Trial Design and Timeline
The Phase 1/2 study will enroll approximately 500 healthy adults aged 18 and older in Australia. The trial is designed to evaluate safety and cross-reactive immunogenicity, with topline results expected by 2028. This timeline reflects the comprehensive approach needed to assess the vaccine's broad-spectrum protective capabilities.
The GBP511 program was initiated in 2021 with substantial support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which provided funding of approximately USD 65 million to advance preclinical research, early-stage clinical trials, and manufacturing process development.
Market Context and Medical Need
The World Health Organization highlighted in its 2022 report "Why do we need a pan-sarbecovirus vaccine?" that the repeated emergence of variants, waning immunity, reinfection risk, and zoonotic spillover emphasize the urgent need for a broad-spectrum coronavirus vaccine.
According to Coherent Market Insights, the global COVID-19 vaccine market is projected to be worth USD 50.6 billion in 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% to reach USD 83.4 billion by 2032. This outlook underscores the potential of next-generation vaccines like GBP511 to drive future demand.
Leadership Perspective on Pandemic Preparedness
"Even as the COVID-19 pandemic has eased, related viruses continue to evolve and pose global health risks," said Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience. "GBP511 is designed to overcome the limitations of strain-specific vaccines by targeting the entire sarbecovirus family. With this approach, we aim to strengthen pandemic preparedness and safeguard against future outbreaks."
Broader Pipeline Development
Beyond GBP511, SK bioscience is advancing multiple pandemic-preparedness programs. These include an mRNA-based Japanese encephalitis vaccine currently in Phase 1/2 global studies with CEPI, and a government-backed avian influenza vaccine program launched earlier this year. Together, these initiatives strengthen SK bioscience's pipeline for responding to future infectious disease threats.
The success of SKYCovione, which demonstrated favorable safety and immunogenicity in global studies, has laid the foundation for broader coronavirus vaccine development and validates the company's platform approach to vaccine innovation.
