As a company that researches, develops, and produces biomedicine such as vaccines, SK bioscience has established strict standards to evaluate and register partners.

Our partner registration process includes a compulsory evaluation that encompasses credit rating evaluation, financial evaluation and third-party transaction performance via our procurement portal. Based on the results, any companies that scored above our baseline become eligible for a partnership and are given a notice in writing (including the electronic document) within 15 days in the case of final selection. A supplier can either appeal or request a reevaluation within 15 days of notice.

Every year, we evaluate our existing partners’ technology, quality, responsiveness, delivery time, cost, and finance. In addition, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted based on transaction data and data provided by them.

To manage ESG risks in the supply chain and support their ESG management capabilities, SK bioscience will work with specialized external institutions to promote processes from self-diagnosis to evaluation and improvement of partners. The supply chain ESG evaluation and management areas include ethics, anti-corruption, labor, human rights, safety & health, and the environment. We will establish an evaluation system by conducting a self-diagnosis (organized by our partners) and pilot evaluation.

SK bioscience intends to contribute to creating a more sustainable Global Biopharma Ecosystem by not only focusing on our own ESG performance but also inducing and supporting the ESG management of our business partners.

We provide the ‘BP Ethics Pledge’ before contracting with our business partners and receive a signed copy to demand compliance with it. In 2022, we plan to adopt a supplier code of conduct and encourage them to comply with it. Consisting of areas such as ethics and anti-corruption, labor and human rights, safety & health, and the environment, it provides a comprehensive guide for suppliers to practice ESG management.

We and our partners will strive to internalize ESG management in the supply chain within the bio-ecosystem by preparing a self-contained ESG checklist, procurement code of ethics, and bidding evaluation guide.

SK bioscience maintains and develops cooperative relationships through various communication channels with purchasing partners. In 2021, we listened to the grievances of our partners and actively communicated for shared growth and cooperation. As an additional action plan, we will prepare an online suggestion box where our partners can deliver the difficulties they are facing and their opinions on system improvement. The confidentiality of the informant’s identity and the information they provide is guaranteed, and we plan to manage it so that the informant faces no retaliation or disadvantages. In addition, we plan to operate The Voice of Suppliers for secondary and tertiary partners to establish fair trade practices throughout the supply chain and ensure transparency.

SK bioscience operates reporting channels so that employees can report any unfair behavior at any time.

SK bioscience’s goal is to promote global public health. To that end, we support healthcare research through collaboration with various international organizations and funding. By operating scholarships and sponsoring educational courses, we foster talent in the bio/vaccine field who will work together to achieve the goals of SK bioscience.

SK bioscience is committed to fostering global bio-talent. In February 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated Korea as a global biomanufacturing training hub to address the issue of vaccine disparities among countries. By participating as a partner institution and supporting education/site tours, SK bioscience intends to focus on developing the next generation of bio-talent.

SK bioscience also provides scholarships to foster talent. At Seoul National University’s Department of Life Sciences and Boseong High School, we plan on operating the Park Man-Hoon Scholarship by annually granting 10 students with KRW 5 million over a five-year period. Meanwhile, at Andong University, eight students will be promised KRW 2 million every year under the same scholarship program.

In November 2021, SK bioscience created the Park Man-Hoon Award with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to honor the late Vice Chairman Park Man-Hoon, who improved the company’s research capabilities to today’s level through dedication to vaccine programs and R&D. Every year, two individuals or organizations are awarded prize money(KRW 100 million each) for their contributions to vaccine discovery, development, and distribution, as well as global health improvement. In April 2022, Dr. Tore Godal, special adviser to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) received the award for his contribution to distributing vaccines to developing countries. Also, Professor Drew Weissman and Professor Katalin Kariko of the University of Pennsylvania were co-selected for contributing to the development of mRNA technology.

SK bioscience also plans to establish a system for industry-academia collaboration at Korea University Medical Center to respond to infectious diseases. Based on the agreement, we will jointly establish a domestic and overseas infectious disease monitoring system and conduct vaccine research for the next three years. In order to protect humanity from the new contagious disease crisis, our company has pledged to donate KRW 5 billion to support research expenses.

We are considering signing research agreements with multiple universities at home. Furthermore, we provided KRW 500 million to the Plato Academy and the RIGHT(Research Investment for Global Health Technology) Fund for humanities and basic research in the bio and pharmaceutical fields.

SK bioscience plans to support students majoring in bio-vaccine engineering biotechnology at Andong University as a means to foster global bio-talent. We will contribute to the development of employable skills through mentoring, education and collaborative projects, field training, curriculum collaboration, and internship experience. Ultimately, we have a goal to create a platform for cooperation with companies/research institutes, academia, and government/municipalities.

SK bioscience is currently engaged in philanthropic activities in order to maintain social value and coexist with the local communities. As corporate citizens, we fulfill our social responsibility by running various programs that connect the underprivileged with local social enterprises, schools, and farms.

In 2022, SK bioscience plans to establish a small library in the form of a book cafe where local citizens can stop by to read, contemplate, and rest. We intend to enhance their mental health and happiness. We aim to build a cultural infrastructure and center for humanities within the local communities by strengthening them and spreading culture. Starting with Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where L HOUSE is located, we plan to build a total of 20 branch offices by 2031, contributing to the improvement of the mental health of local citizens through the ‘Wisdom,Rreflection, and Humanities Program.’

SK bioscience will continue its activities to establish a Global Biopharma Ecosystem and fulfill its social responsibilities to create an environment conducive to the continuous growth of industry stakeholders.