Germany, Korea discuss vaccine cooperation

Participants of a workshop co-hosted by the Embassy of Germany in Korea and Fraunhofer Representative Office Korea join a video discussion at InterContinental Seoul COEX in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, June 17. / Courtesy of Embassy of Germany

By Yi Whan-woo

The Embassy of Germany in Korea, together with the Seoul branch of Europe's largest applied science research organization Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, hosted a workshop last week to discuss how the two countries can foster cooperation on research and development for vaccines and pharmaceuticals.

The workshop at InterContinental Seoul COEX in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, June 17, came amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a growing need for international cooperation on R&D for vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
Germany and Korea, according to the embassy, are "known worldwide" for competitive products and innovative technologies by offering "a particularly good environment for pharmaceutical research and development."

And the participants, many from firms and research institutions, shared their expertise and knowledge, introduced innovative technological developments in their respective countries and explored potential research and business cooperation during the workshop, titled "Vaccine and pharmaceutical research and development activities in Germany and Korea."

Among the participants were Sebastian Ulbert from Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Susanne Bailer from Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology, SK Bioscience Executive Vice President Justis Taejun Cho and Celltrion Vice President Lee Soo-young, as well as representatives from International Vaccine Institute and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute.

To help those who joined from Germany, the discussion was available both via video and on-site.

Ulbert talked about cost-efficient techniques for attenuating pathogens for inactivate vaccine production.

Bailer presented her innovative research on virus-based therapies and technologies.

Cho talked about SK Bioscience being a global innovator in vaccine production.

Lee shared the latest developments of Celltrion's therapeutic antibody treatment against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

"The global COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on day-to-day life, on people's health, on businesses, on the domestic economy and on global trade. This crisis demonstrates once again how crucial international cooperation in the field of vaccine and pharmaceutical research and development is to our collective health and prosperity, also beyond the end of the COVID-19 pandemic," the embassy said, adding this was also the outcome of the workshop.
On a separate occasion, the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) held its 39th annual general meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, June 18.

Led by President and CEO Barbara Zollmann, the KGCCI is noted with two chairmen and two vice chairmen as part of efforts to underline the organization's bilateral character.

During the general meeting, Kim Hyo-joon, chairman of BMW Group Korea, was re-elected as the chairman for the Korean side. Peter Tiedemann, president and representative director of Carl Zeiss, was newly elected to lead the German side.

"We will further strengthen the business and friendly relations between Korea and Germany and build advanced systems in both countries that can create various social values not only in scientific technology but also in culture including our Ausbildung program," Kim said in his acceptance speech.

Tiedemann underlined in his acceptance speech that Korea and Germany are looking back on a historically special partnership.

"In crisis times, when fear closes doors and borders, it is more important than ever to keep this partnership alive and keep the ease of business going, as this is of mutual benefit," he said. "It is my personal objective as German chairman of the KGCCI to work in this direction."

The chamber elected new vice chairmen ― with BASF Company Representative Director and Chairman Kim Young-yull for the Korean side and ElringKlinger Korea General Manager and Representative Director Stefan Spreu for the German side.

Zollmann congratulated them and shared her wishes for successful cooperation on behalf of Korean-German business interests and friendship.

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