SK Bioscience Launches Global Trial For Universal Coronavirus Vaccine

On January 29, 2026, SK Bioscience announced a significant leap in the global fight against emerging viral threats: the launch of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in Australia for GBP511, a next-generation vaccine candidate aimed squarely at the sarbecovirus subgenus. This diverse viral group includes SARS-CoV-2—the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic—as well as a host of related SARS-like coronaviruses lurking in animal reservoirs, some of which could potentially spill over to humans in the future. The company’s ambition? Nothing less than a universal coronavirus vaccine, capable of providing broad, durable immune protection against a whole family of viruses, not just a single variant.

This international trial will enroll approximately 368 adults aged 18 and older in Australia, with the first phase involving two doses given 28 days apart. Participants will be divided into low-, medium-, and high-dose cohorts, with some receiving an adjuvant and others not. The study will scrutinize safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity, all while benchmarking GBP511’s performance against Comirnaty, a widely used comparator vaccine. Once Phase 1 wraps up, researchers will select the optimal dose and regimen. Phase 2 will then expand the focus, evaluating immunogenicity and safety in both adult and elderly populations, again using Comirnaty as a yardstick.

But what makes GBP511 stand out in a crowded field of vaccine candidates? According to SK Bioscience, the answer lies in its technological pedigree. GBP511 builds on the core platform of SKYCovione, which, back in 2022, became South Korea’s first—and so far only—domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine to achieve commercialization. SKYCovione’s success was rooted in a computer-designed antigen platform, robust recombinant protein technology, and a dash of nanoparticle design wizardry courtesy of the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington School of Medicine. This combination delivered strong neutralizing antibody responses and a clean safety record in global trials, paving the way for regulatory approvals in multiple regions.

GBP511 takes this foundation and pushes it further, aiming for cross-reactive immune responses across the entire sarbecovirus family. In plain English, the hope is to create a vaccine that doesn’t just chase the latest variant, but instead arms the immune system to recognize and neutralize a wide array of related viruses—including those that haven’t even made the jump to humans yet. As SK Bioscience’s CEO, Ahn Jae-yong, put it, “Developing a universal sarbecovirus vaccine is a critical challenge that must be addressed to prepare for the next pandemic.” He added, “With the initiation of the GBP511 clinical trial, we will accelerate the development of universal vaccines and leverage our proactive infectious disease preparedness capabilities to emerge as a global leader in the vaccine market.”

Globally, the race to develop universal coronavirus vaccines is heating up, but most programs remain stuck in the early research stages. As reported by major journals such as Nature Reviews Immunology and The Lancet Microbe, a universal sarbecovirus vaccine—one that delivers broad cross-neutralizing activity and durable immune protection—could become a cornerstone of future pandemic preparedness. Yet, SK Bioscience’s GBP511 is among the first such candidates to actually enter global Phase 1/2 clinical development, putting the company ahead of many international competitors.

The urgency of such efforts is underscored by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which has designated the SARS-coronavirus family as a “prototype pathogen.” CEPI’s rationale is clear: The world has already seen multiple pandemics arise from this group, and the odds of history repeating itself are uncomfortably high. Variant-specific approaches, while useful in the short term, may leave humanity unprepared for the next viral twist. As Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, stressed, “COVID-19 exposed the devastating price of confronting a deadly new virus without a vaccine. Broadly protective coronavirus vaccines have the power to change that story. While we cannot predict when or where the next coronavirus threat will emerge, we can prepare. By investing now in all-in-one vaccines, CEPI and its partners are strengthening global defences—and South Korea is playing a pivotal role in that effort. The progression of SK bioscience’s broadly protective coronavirus vaccine into Phase 1/2 trials marks a major step forward, showcasing South Korea’s leadership in cutting-edge vaccine innovation and bringing us closer to a safer future for all.”

It’s not just about science, either. The economic stakes are enormous. According to Coherent Market Insights, the global COVID-19 vaccine market is estimated to be worth around $50.6 billion in 2025, and it’s projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 7.4% through 2032, reaching a staggering $83.4 billion. As the market shifts from short-term, outbreak-driven demand to a more stable, long-term dynamic, next-generation technologies like universal vaccines are expected to open up major new sources of demand. The implications for public health, industry, and global preparedness are hard to overstate.

SK Bioscience isn’t stopping at GBP511, either. The company is advancing a pipeline of other infectious disease vaccines, including a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and an avian influenza vaccine. These projects are part of a broader strategy to expand the company’s portfolio and strengthen its ability to respond to future infectious disease threats—whatever form they might take. As Ahn Jae-yong explained, the goal is to “progressively expand our vaccine portfolio to strengthen mid- to long-term preparedness for future infectious disease threats.”

Meanwhile, the scientific community is watching closely. Universal coronavirus vaccines have been a sort of holy grail since the first SARS outbreak in 2003 and the subsequent emergence of MERS. The COVID-19 pandemic, devastating as it was, has only heightened the sense of urgency. As Nature Reviews Immunology and The Lancet Microbe have reported, the ability to provide broad, durable protection against a whole family of viruses would represent a game-changing shift in how humanity prepares for—and hopefully prevents—future pandemics.

For now, all eyes are on Australia, where the first volunteers are rolling up their sleeves for GBP511. The results of this clinical trial could set the stage for a new era in vaccine science, with ripple effects across public health, the pharmaceutical industry, and international pandemic preparedness. If GBP511 delivers on its promise, it could put SK Bioscience—and South Korea—at the forefront of global efforts to outmaneuver not just today’s viral threats, but tomorrow’s as well.

With the world still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and experts warning that the next outbreak could be just around the corner, the race for a universal coronavirus vaccine has never felt more urgent. SK Bioscience’s bold step forward is a reminder that scientific innovation, international cooperation, and a bit of audacity are all key ingredients in the ongoing quest for a safer, healthier future.