Teams
The International Vaccine Institute is organized into specialized teams that work across every stage of vaccine research, development, and delivery. These expert units lead efforts in scientific discovery, clinical trials, regulatory support, epidemiology, public health, and impact assessment. IVI’s teams also manage strategy, program implementation, quality and risk management, global affairs, communications, government relations, finance, and operations. Together, they ensure the institute’s scientific excellence, strengthen global partnerships, and advance vaccine innovation and access for people most in need.
Vaccine science and research units
Science
This unit designs new vaccines, improves vaccine formulation, conducts preclinical studies, evaluates the safety and performance of promising vaccine candidates, develops technologies to support vaccine clinical testing in humans, optimizes production processes, and transfers vaccine technology to manufacturers. Our Seoul BSL-3, BSL-2, and GCLP labs and animal facilities are equipped for microbiological, immunological, and genomic studies. Our teams specialize in molecular biology, microbial genetics, bioinformatics, and immunology. Additionally, IVI’s labs under construction at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute will expand our vaccine process development capacity.
Clinical, Assessment, Regulatory, Evaluation
This unit assesses vaccine safety and efficacy, collaborating with partners worldwide to plan and implement Phase I-IV clinical trials. We provide training and technical assistance and mobilize funding support while helping to coordinate and monitor trials to ensure adherence to international standards. We work with manufacturers and sponsors of new vaccine products to navigate the regulatory pathway and WHO prequalification, which enables the global procurement of new vaccines.
Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact
This unit focuses on disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance surveillance and data-sharing, epidemiologic studies, health economics, biostatistics, data management, and vaccine effectiveness. Researchers work closely with in-country collaborators and key decision-makers at national, regional, and global levels to facilitate the introduction of newly licensed vaccines.
Institutional strategy and operations
Strategy, Program, Quality & Risk Management
This unit oversees the development, implementation, and monitoring of the IVI Strategic Plan, enterprise risk management, project and program management, quality, and internal control. The quality management team ensures IVI’s clinical, observational, and laboratory research activities remain compliant with international regulations and provides training and consulting services at vaccine manufacturing facilities.
Integrated Development and Pandemic/Outbreak Readiness
This unit strengthens strategic alignment by integrating new initiatives, enterprise development, training, and legal functions. It supports prioritization, aligns partnerships with strategy, and enhances cross-unit collaboration to advance pandemic preparedness and vaccine development for both outbreak and endemic diseases.
Global Affairs & Communications
This unit manages the institute’s diplomatic relations with member states and partner countries, and facilitates multilateral research and development collaborations. Additionally, Global Affairs and Communications interfaces with the public sector, news media, the general public, and non-profit organizations to advocate for global health issues and bring attention to vaccine research and development advancements.
Government & Public Relations
This unit works closely with the Korean government and other stakeholders to mobilize awareness and funding domestically. Government and Public Relations maintains relations with the Korea Support Committee for IVI, a non-profit organization with a mission to garner national support for IVI.
Finance & Operations
This unit manages IVI’s operations across five different offices, from recruitment and human resources to accounting and financing, IT, travel and procurement, facilities, and IVI’s Institutional Review Board, which reviews and approves IVI’s clinical studies involving people.
Director General’s Office
This unit supports the Director General and IVI’s governance bodies while also housing programs dedicated to cholera, HPV, and hepatitis E research.
Regional offices
Europe Regional Office
As IVI’s first regional office beyond its headquarters, the Europe Regional Office aims to bolster the life science and global health networks in Sweden and Europe, engaging stakeholders across research centers, academia, industry, and government to identify and pursue potential areas of collaboration. Due to its regional advantage, the office also enables more effective engagement with our collaborators in Africa, where IVI has helped build an extensive network of disease surveillance and clinical trial sites.
Africa Regional Office
As IVI’s African administrative hub, the Africa Regional Office will strengthen regional engagement, expand IVI’s member base, and serve as a key partner in the African vaccine ecosystem. A major focus will be building clinical trial capacity, alongside facilitating joint grant applications with local partners to drive vaccine research, development, and innovation – benefiting Rwanda and the broader region.