A researcher inspects anthrax vaccine manufacturing equipment at GC Biopharma Corp.’s vaccine production facility in Hwasun on July 1, 2025, in this photo provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. (Yonhap)
HWASUN, July 7 (Korea Bizwire) — In a quiet but groundbreaking shift in South Korea’s public health arsenal, scientists have achieved a global first: the successful development and approval of a recombinant protein-based anthrax vaccine. The move not only secures the country’s long-sought vaccine self-sufficiency but also positions it as a potential exporter of safer, next-generation bioterrorism countermeasures.
The new vaccine, Barythrax inj., received official approval in April from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. It marks the culmination of nearly three decades of joint research between the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and private vaccine developer GC Biopharma Corp., formerly Green Cross.
Unlike existing vaccines, Barythrax doesn’t carry the risks associated with exposure to the anthrax pathogen’s toxins, making it a safer and more tolerable option for both emergency responders and the general population.
“As demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious diseases can spread rapidly and cause massive damage in a short period of time,” said Kim Gab-jung, head of the KDCA’s disease diagnosis and analysis division. “This underscores the importance of securing proactive response capabilities at the national level.”
Kim Gab-jung (R), director general of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s department of disease diagnosis and analysis, answers questions during a press briefing on the development of the world’s first recombinant protein-based anthrax vaccine by the agency and GC Biopharma Corp. at GC Biopharma’s vaccine plant in Hwasun, about 280 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 1, 2025, in this photo provided by the KDCA. (Yonhap)
From Import Dependence to National Resilience
Until now, South Korea had relied on Biothrax, an American-made vaccine by Emergent BioSolutions, for its national stockpile. That dependency has now ended.
The vaccine’s approval signifies more than just a pharmaceutical milestone. It marks a strategic turning point in how South Korea prepares for emerging threats, including bioterrorism. While government officials were quick to note that the vaccine wasn’t developed with any specific geopolitical threat in mind—such as North Korea—they acknowledged the urgency of robust public health defenses.
“One thing is clear: South Korea faces a different geopolitical situation compared to many other countries,” Kim added. “More thorough preparedness is required.”
Designed for the World, Not Just One Nation
The impact of the new vaccine may extend well beyond the Korean Peninsula. As anthrax continues to emerge in global hotspots—Zambia reported over 600 cases in 2023, and Uganda confirmed 251 in 2024—South Korea’s ability to produce and export Barythrax could help close critical vaccine gaps in developing regions.
“To replace existing anthrax vaccine products on the market, we will focus on further improving product competitiveness and strengthening marketing activities,” said Lee Jae-woo, chief development officer at GC Biopharma.
Lee noted that the vaccine forms part of the company’s broader social contribution strategy. Already a major exporter of varicella (chickenpox) and influenza vaccines, GC Biopharma posted ₩1.68 trillion (approx. US$1.2 billion) in sales last year, with exports making up 23% of that revenue.
This file photo, provided by GC Biopharma Corp., shows the recombinant protein-based anthrax vaccine, Barythrax inj. (Yonhap)
Science Behind the Safety
Barythrax is the first of its kind to use a non-toxin-producing strain of Bacillus brevis, which manufactures only the protective antigen (PA)—the key component that trains the immune system to fight anthrax without exposing it to harmful byproducts. The result is a vaccine that’s not only more cost-effective to produce, but also significantly safer.
The KDCA began anthrax vaccine research as early as 1997. GC Biopharma joined in 2002, and the two invested more than ₩30 billion (roughly US$22 million) in the joint effort.
Notably, no anthrax cases have been reported in South Korea since the disease was designated notifiable in 2000. But the government sees Barythrax as a vital insurance policy—one that ensures the country is never caught unprepared.
With the approval secured and production set to begin, South Korea now joins a rare global league: nations that not only protect their own populations but also contribute to the world’s defense against biological threats.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
