SEOUL — The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency selected the Vaccine Innovation Center at Korea University College of Medicine as the lead institution for a national hantavirus vaccine development project. The project aims to establish a rapid-response vaccine development system capable of producing vaccine prototypes within 200 days of the emergence of a future pandemic.

The Vaccine Innovation Center will oversee the project in collaboration with biotechnology companies. The initiative focuses on developing a next-generation mRNA-based hantavirus vaccine, utilizing self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) and next-generation high-efficiency lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems. Hantavirus is the causative agent of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), and the Korean government has designated it as one of nine priority infectious diseases for vaccine development.

Person-to-person transmission of an Andes hantavirus variant was reported during an outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius. The Vaccine Innovation Center conducted research on the protective efficacy of an mRNA hantavirus vaccine candidate in collaboration with Moderna over the past two years. Preclinical studies from this effort indicated that vaccinated mice had markedly reduced viral loads in the lungs and kidneys.

The current project is set to run for two years. In the first year, researchers will focus on optimizing vaccine candidates and evaluating their efficacy. The second year will center on GMP-compliant manufacturing and conducting comprehensive safety assessments. Hee-Jin Cheong, Director of the Vaccine Innovation Center, stated, "Beginning with hantavirus vaccine development, we aim to lead infectious disease research in Korea and contribute to improving public health."

Cheong also noted a commitment to collaboration. "Through close collaboration with government agencies and industry partners, we will dedicate our full capabilities to advancing Korea's journey from vaccine dependence to vaccine leadership and, ultimately, to achieving true bio-sovereignty," Cheong said. The center is a private-sector vaccine research and development institute in Korea established to continue the scientific legacy of Dr. Ho-Wang Lee, who discovered the hantavirus.