• Third GxP course to train 183 participants from 42 countries and 13 trainees from Korea to enhance global vaccine equity

October 29, 2024, SEOUL, Republic of Korea – The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has kicked off the 2024 Introductory Course for Standard Practice (GxP Course), aimed at enhancing the quality management of biomanufacturing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through specialized human resources training at Seoul National University’s Siheung Campus.

Running from October 29 to November 14, 2024, this intensive three-week program will train 183 participants from 42 countries and 13 from Korea. The course aims to address global vaccine inequities and bolster international efforts to combat infectious diseases by building LMIC’s biomanufacturing capabilities.

Now in its third edition, the annual GxP Course is hosted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) and the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B) Support Foundation and organized by IVI as part of the GTH-B program. GTH-B, launched in 2022, is a joint initiative of the Korean MoHW and the World Health Organization that seeks to empower LMICs to produce vaccines and biologics locally by strengthening their biomanufacturing capabilities.

The opening ceremony of this year’s GxP course was attended by Dr. Manki Song, Deputy Director General of Science; Mr. Dong Hyun Kim from MoHW, and Dr. Hyun Joo Yang, Secretary General of the GTHB Support Foundation, as well as the trainees.

The GxP Course features a faculty team of 27 international experts from nine leading institutions, including IVI, Nagasaki University in Japan, and Instituto Butantan in Brazil. The curriculum covers critical aspects of biomanufacturing, including Good Clinical, Manufacturing, Laboratory, and Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCP, GMP, GLP, GCLP—collectively known as GxP), as well as biosafety protocols to ensure safe and effective manufacturing.

Trainees include professionals from companies and organizations involved in the development and production of biopharmaceuticals such as vaccines, therapeutics, and monoclonal antibodies in LMICs, as well as technical personnel from bio manufacturers and graduate students from Korea. After completing the course, they are expected to work in the field of vaccine development and manufacturing and immunization at companies, organizations and the government in their respective countries.

The course is offered free of charge, excluding travel expenses. To support African participation, travel scholarships have been awarded to 12 trainees by the East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization, and Health Supply Chain Management (EAC RCE-VIHSCM) in Rwanda.

Specifically, this course is designed to equip countries with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the international standards of GCP, GMP, GLP, GCLP and biorepository, and biosafety for vaccine and biologics development and production. To this end, the curriculum includes a series of didactic lectures and practical and hands-on training designed to give a comprehensive overview and insights into the biomanufacturing process, from raw material management to packaging and regulatory compliance.

The trainees will also have a chance to tour leading biomanufacturing sites in Korea to gain practical experience and network with industry experts, with field visit activities increasing from one day to two days this year in response to suggestions by trainees of previous courses.

Since 2022, IVI’s GTH-B program has trained approximately 800 professionals through its various courses, including three editions of the ‘Introductory Course for Biologics Development and Manufacturing,’ two GxP courses, plus nine onsite consultations in LMICs. These courses combine class lectures, practical and hands-on training, and field visits to Korea’s leading biotech companies to deliver an immersive learning experience.

Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI, “With its world-class bioindustry, robust training infrastructure and the government’s commitment, Korea’s leadership in global biomanufacturing training is truly exemplary. IVI is grateful and privileged to partner and synergize with Korea in advancing these vital initiatives for vaccine equity and global health.”

Ms. Alice Lee, Director of IVI’s Business Development who leads its GTH-B program, said, “Since 2022, GTH-B has been a critical driver in addressing the global need for skilled biomanufacturing personnel, providing essential training and support to enable sustainable vaccine production in LMICs. The GTH-B Support Foundation and the forthcoming Global Bio Campus as a dedicated training facility will help further solidify Korea’s leadership in strengthening biomanufacturing capabilities in LMICs.”

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About the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is a non-profit international organization established in 1997 at the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health.

IVI’s current portfolio includes vaccines at all stages of pre-clinical and clinical development for infectious diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, such as cholera, typhoid, chikungunya, shigella, salmonella, schistosomiasis, hepatitis E, HPV, COVID-19, and more. IVI developed the world’s first low-cost oral cholera vaccine, pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO), and developed a new-generation typhoid conjugate vaccine that also achieved WHO prequalification in early 2024.

IVI is headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea with a Europe Regional Office in Sweden, an Africa Regional Office in Rwanda, a Country Office in Austria, and a Country and Project Office in Kenya. IVI additionally co-founded the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute in Hong Kong and hosts Collaborating Centers in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Madagascar. 42 countries and the WHO are members of IVI, and the governments of the Republic of Korea, Sweden, India, Finland, Austria, and Thailand provide state funding. For more information, please visit https://www.ivi.int.