Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis infection, is classified as a top-tier legal infectious disease. (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
HWASUN, Dec. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea has shipped its first domestically manufactured anthrax vaccine, marking a major milestone in strengthening national preparedness against bioterrorism and infectious disease emergencies, health authorities said Monday.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that GC Biopharma began initial shipment of Baritrax, the world’s first genetically engineered recombinant protein anthrax vaccine, from its factory in Hwasun, South Jeolla Province. Until now, the country relied entirely on imports for anthrax immunization.
Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis infection, is classified as a top-tier legal infectious disease. Symptoms vary by exposure route — cutaneous, gastrointestinal, or inhalational — and fatality rates can reach 97 percent without antibiotic treatment. Although South Korea has not reported a domestic case since the disease became notifiable in 2000, authorities have long prioritized vaccine readiness to counter potential bioterrorism threats.
The newly approved vaccine won regulatory clearance in April and is based on Protective Antigen (PA), a core component used by the body to develop immunity. Unlike earlier anthrax vaccines that carried residual toxin risks and caused side effects, Baritrax was developed using recombinant technology to address safety concerns. Preclinical and clinical trials confirmed its efficacy, according to KDCA.
Officials described Friday’s shipment as the first tangible step toward vaccine self-sufficiency in a category previously supplied only from overseas. Establishing domestic manufacturing capacity, they said, strengthens South Korea’s ability to respond to bioterror incidents and infectious disease crises while advancing the country’s “vaccine sovereignty.”
KDCA Commissioner Im Seung-kwan hailed the rollout as a national achievement enabled by close coordination between government and industry. He said the agency will continue supporting development of critical vaccines and build a stable stockpiling system to prepare for future health and security emergencies.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
