Opening

Welcoming Remarks

• 
  Young-mee Jee

  Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

  Commissioner
  Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

  EDUCATION

  • 1997 Ph.D, Virology, University of London, United Kingdom
  • 1988 Diploma, Medical Microbiology, University of London, United Kingdom
  • 1986 서MD, Seoul National University Medical School, Republic of Korea

  PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2022 ~ Present Commissioner, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency
  • 2017 ~ 2019 Director-General, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Health and Welfare
  • 2014 ~ 2017 Director-General, Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Health and Welfare
  • 2007 ~ 2014 Regional Coordinator, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Western Pacific Regional Office, World Health Organization (WHO)
  • 2005 ~ 2007 Director, Hepatitis and Polio Viruses Team, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health and Welfare
  • 2003 ~ 2005 Director, Division of Enteroviruses, Department of Virology, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health and Welfare
  • 1997 ~ 2003 Deputy Scientific Director, Division of Enteroviruses, Department of Virology, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health and Welfare
  • 2021 ~ 2022 Chief Executive Officer , Institute Pasteur Korea
  • 2021 ~ 2021 President, Korean Society for Microbiology
  • 2020 ~ 2021 Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, Health Affairs
  • 2020 ~ 2021 Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Public Administration, Seoul National University
  • 2020 ~ Present Special Representative for Health Diplomacy Korea Foundation
  • 2020 ~ Present Member , WHO International Health Regulation Emergency Committee on COVID-19
  • 2017 ~ 2019 President, Korean Society of Infectious Diseases
  • 2017 ~ 2020 Member, WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts for Immunization (SAGE)
  • 2016 ~ 2019 Member, Board of Trustees of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)

• Opening Remarks

  
  Hyun-Young Park

  Director (Deputy Minister)
  Korea National Institute of Health

  EDUCATION

  • 2000 Yonsei University College of Medicine (Ph.D.)
  • 1995 Yonsei University College of Medicine (M.S.)
  • 1990 Yonsei University College of Medicine (M.D.)

  PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2023 ~ Present Director, Korea National Institute of Health
  • 2020 ~ 2023 Director, Department of Precision Medicine, KNIH
  • 2018 ~ 2020 Director, Center for Genome Science, KNIH
  • 2007 ~ 2018 Director, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, KNIH, KCDC
  • 2012 ~ 2023 PI, National Research Program for Women’s Health
  • 2011 ~ 2014 Team leader, National Center for Medical Information and Knowledge TF
  • 2008 ~ 2014 Team leader, Clinical Research Coordination TF
  • 2005 ~ 2017 Director, Division of Cardiovascular & Rare Diseases, KNIH, KCDC
  • 2002 ~ 2003 Research Associate, Duke University Medical Center, USA
  • 2004 ~ 2005 Assistant professor of Cardiology (Dept. of internal medicine)
  • 2000 ~ 2002 Assistant professor of Cardiology (Dept. of internal medicine)
  • 2000 ~ 2005 Assistant professor, Yonsei Cardiovascular Research Institute
  • 1998 ~ 2000 Instructor, Yonsei Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine
  • 1996 ~ 1998 Research Student, Department of Clinical Pathology, Shimane Medical University, Japan
  • 1995 ~ 1996 Research fellow, Cardiology division, Yonsei Cardiovascular Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine
  • 1990 ~ 1995 Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongdong Severance Hospital

• Greeting Speech

  
  Hee-Chang Jang

  National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH), Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)

  Director, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID)

  EDUCATION

  • 2017 Chonnam National University, Ph.D
  • 2005 Seoul National University College of Medicine, M.M.Sc
  • 2000 Seoul National University College of Medicine, M.D.

  PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2020 ~ Present Director, National Institute of Infectious Disease
  • 2017 ~ 2019 Post-Doc/Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital
  • 2009 ~ Present Professor (tenured), Infectious Disease, Chonnam National University & Chonnam National University Hospital
  • 2008 ~ 2009 Fellow, Infectious Disease, Seoul National University Hospital
  • 2000 ~ 2008 Volunteer Doctor, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)
  • 2000 ~ 2015 Intern & Resident, Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital

• Keynote speech 1

  
  Kim Kyung-Chang, Ph.D

  Division of Emerging Virus & Vector Research
  Center for Emerging Virus Research
  Korea National Institutes of Infectious Diseases

  Director of Division

  EDUCATION

  • 2000 B.Sc. (Molecular Biology), Pusan National University
  • 2002 M.Sc. (Molecular Biology), Pusan National University
  • 2011 Ph.D. (Molecular Biology), Korea University

  PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2020 ~ Present Division Director,
    Division of Emerging Virus & Vector Research
    National Institutes of Health, Korea DCA
  • 2021 ~ Present Director of Therapeutics Research and Development Team,
    Central Disease Control Headquarters Treatment and Vaccine Development Task Force
  • 2018 ~ Present Board Member, Korean Society for AIDS (2018~)
    Board Member, Korean Society for Virology (2022~)
  • 2012 ~ 2015 Post.doc follow, University of Northwestern, U.S
  • 2004 ~ 2020 Senior Staff Scientist & Staff Scientist
    Korea National Insitutes of Health (KNIH)

• Keynote speech 2

  
  Yoo-Kyoung Lee

  Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, National Institute of Health)

  Division Director

  EDUCATION

  • 2004 D.V.M., Seoul National University School of Veterinary Medicine
  • 1998 Master’s Degree, Seoul National University School of Veterinary Medicine
  • 1994 ABD(all but dissertation), Seoul National University School of Public Health

  PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 20152021 ~ Present Division Director, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Division of Vaccine Development Coordination
  • 1998 ~ 2021 Senior Staff Scientist, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Session 1. Characteristics of Emerging Infectious Diseases and clinical studies

Speaker

• 
  Young-Ki Choi

  Korea Virus Research Institute, IBS

  Managing Director

  Topic

  • Age-depedent differential pathogenesis of SFTSV infections

  Abstract

  • Dabie bandavirus (severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus [SFTSV]) induces an immunopathogenic disease with a high fatality rate; however, the mechanisms underlying its clinical manifestations are largely unknown. In this study, we applied targeted proteomics and single-cell transcriptomics to examine the differential immune landscape in SFTS patient blood. Serum immunoprofiling identified low-risk and high-risk clusters of SFTS patients based on inflammatory cytokine levels, which corresponded to disease severity. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of SFTS patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at different infection stages showed pronounced expansion of B cells with alterations in B-cell subsets in fatal cases. Furthermore, plasma cells in which the interferon (IFN) pathway is downregulated were identified as the primary reservoir of SFTSV replication. This study identified not only the molecular signatures of serum inflammatory cytokines and B-cell lineage populations in SFTSV-induced fatalities but also plasma cells as the viral reservoir. Thus, this suggests that altered B-cell function is linked to lethality in SFTSV infections.
• 
  Jang-Hoon Choi

  Divison of Acute Viral Disease Research, Center for Emerging Virus Research, Korea National Institute of Health

  Deputy Scientific Director

  Topic

  • Deglycosylation of seasonal influenza virus (A/H3N2) hemagglutinine confers infectivity and pathogenicity during mouse adaptation

  Abstract

  • Pandemic Influenza A viruses (IAVs) occasionally cross the species barrier through either host adaptation or genetic reassortment. Understanding the viral genetics that underlie virulence and cross-species transmission is critical for designing durable vaccines and therapeutics. In our previous work, we successfully established a mouse adapted strain (maSW293) from seasonal influenza A/H3N2 virus (A/Switzerland/9715293/2013). Unlike the parental strain, maSW293 exhibits infectivity and pathogenicity in mice. Pathogenicity analysis using recombinant viruses revealed that hemagglutinin (HA) plays a pivotal role in infection and mortality in mice. Notably, three identified mutations (N160D, T183A, N262T) within the HA sequence have the potential to induce deglycosylation in the globular head domain.
    The analysis of mouse pathogenicity using recombinant viruses revealed the significant contribution of HA mutations to both infection and mortality in mice. Each virus carrying the deglycosylation mutation exhibited infectivity in mice. Notably, mice infected with the triple mutant virus exhibited a significantly reduced survival rate compared to the wild-type virus. Consequently, infection with the mutant viruses led to severe lung pathology and elevated induction of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine. Interestingly, the triple mutant virus exhibited not only enhanced α-2,6 sialic acid receptor binding affinity but also altered α-2,3 sialic acid binding tropism. Additionally, mutant viruses carrying the T183A and N262T mutations showed reduced NA activity, suggesting a potential contribution to viral fitness during host adaptation.
    Collectively, the finding from this study suggest that the deglycosylation of the globular head of the HA can enhance pathogenicity and facilitate cross-species adaptability in mice. This is likely achieved through alterations in receptor binding affinity and NA activity.
• 
  Kim, Min-Kyung

  National Medical center

  Professor

  Topic

  • Clinical presentation and viral shedding in patients with Mpox in South Korea

  Abstract

  • 국내 엠폭스 유행 초기(2022년 9월부터 2023년 6월) 국립중앙의료원에 입원한 엠폭스 환자들을 대상으로 임상적 특성 분석과 함께 구인두, 항문생식기 병변 및 피부 병변에서 monkeypox virus의 PCR 양성기간과 배양 양성 기간을 분석하였다.

Session 2. Current status and strategies for the development of therapeutics for Emerging Infectious Diseases

Speaker

• 
  Dimitri LAVILLETTE

  Institut Pasteur Korea

  Chief Scientific Officer

  Topic

  • Platforms & Tools to Enable Rapid Pandemic Response

  Abstract

  • The recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic and social damage worldwide and gives us considerable concerns about a new pandemic in the future. Unlike other diseases, infectious diseases are very difficult to prepare for, and they quickly begin to spread around the world before humanity prepares in advance. Due to this, it is very difficult to fight a new strain of virus that appears quickly and spreads rapidly by the method of developing a general treatment applied to other diseases. A strategy for the development of potential treatments by families of pathogens, using prototypes, can be implemented following different priorities of different agencies. Infectious diseases progress through the process of infection, spread and pathogenicity. Strategic approaches of treatment are applied for each stage of progression. Therapeutic agents such as monoclonal antibodies or variable domains of heavy-chain antibodies (VHH) being used for inhibiting infection, and small compound inhibitory agents of viral replication are being used as therapeutic agents that prevent the spread or amplification of pathogens after infection. In addition, agents to control immune response against the pathogenesis are being applied as therapeutics for infectious diseases to reduce the severity and fatality rate. The prevention strategies with the elaboration of vaccines are dramatically increasing as well. This presentation will discuss the development strategies against infectious diseases that are investigated in the Institut Pasteur Korea such as VHH derived from camelids and antiviral drugs in a preparedness program.
• 
  Cho, Eun-Wie

  Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)

  Principal Researcher

  Topic

  • Development of SARS-CoV-2 S2 Targeted Vaccines and Therapeutic Antibodies

  Abstract

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), had a major impact on both the global health and economy. Numerous virus-neutralizing antibodies were developed against the S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein to block viral binding to host cells and were authorized for control of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, frequent mutations in the S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 enabled the emergence of immune evasive variants. To address these challenges, broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting the relatively conserved S2 subunit and its epitopes have been investigated as antibody therapeutics and universal vaccines. In this talk, we will present our findings, focusing on the properties of S2 antibodies and progress in the development of S2 peptide vaccines. We expect that these findings will lead to the design of S2 vaccines with improved efficacy and the discovery of therapeutic antibodies with high potency.
• 
  Soo Bong Han

  Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT)

  Principal Research Scientist/Head of Infectiou Diseases Therapeutic Research Centers

  Topic

  • Lessons from COVID-19 for the development of antiviral drugs

  Abstract

  • The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has yielded significant insights that can guide the future development of antiviral drugs. It is important to address the valuable insights gained from the pandemic, which can be utilized to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of strategies for developing antiviral drugs. The urgency of the pandemic underscored the importance of expediting drug development without compromising safety, leveraging innovative technologies and collaborative approaches. Global cooperation and data sharing were paramount, highlighting the need for open communication and resource pooling. The value of broad-spectrum antiviral activity was underscored, offering a versatile approach to combatting multiple viral threats. Repurposing existing drugs for new indications proved successful, demonstrating the potential for accelerated responses. Given the rapid mutation rates of viruses, designing drugs to target critical points in viral replication cycles and considering adaptable drug designs are critical. Combination therapies emerged as a robust strategy, minimizing drug resistance and enhancing efficacy. Clinical trial readiness, sustained research investment, and equitable manufacturing and distribution strategies are essential to streamline drug development and ensure timely global access. In conclusion, the lessons derived from the COVID-19 pandemic offer a roadmap for optimizing antiviral drug development processes, ultimately bolstering global preparedness against future viral outbreaks.
• 
  Woo-Youn Kim

  KAIST

  Professor, Department of Chemistry, KAIST

  Topic

  • Acceleration of drug discovery with AI

  Abstract

  • In recent years, deep learning-based AI has been rapidly developing, bringing significant impact on the field of drug discovery. For instance, AlphaFold has solved the problem of protein structure prediction and generative AI has been actively used for the design of proteins, antibodies, and small molecule drugs. Thus, leading IT companies such as Google DeepMind, MS, and Nvidia as well as big pharma such as AstraZeneca, Merck, and Pfizer are actively investing in the development of AI in this field. In this talk, I will briefly review the latest trends in AI-based drug discovery and introduce generative AI-based drug design research examples.

Session 3. Outstanding Achievements in the Development of Vaccines for Emerging Infectious Diseases

Speaker

• 
  Jae-Chul Pyun

  Yonsei University

  Professor

  Topic

  • Rapid screening of target antigenic sites for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development using Fv-antibody library

  Abstract

  • The rapid screening of target antigenic sites for SARS-CoV-2 is presented and the application of screened antigenic sites is demonstrated for the vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2. The Fv-antibody represented the antigen binding site of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and the Fv-antibody library was prepared by randomizing the CDR3 through the site-directed mutagenesis. So prepared Fv-antibody library was surface-expressed on the outer membrane of E.coli with the diversity of more than 106 clones/library. From the Fv-antibody library screening, effective immunogenic antigen sequences for the vaccine development could be analyzed within a few weeks. The vaccine development based on the Fv-antibody library was carried out according to the following procedure: (1) Screening of Fv-antibodies against spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 with a high binding affinity (nanomolar KD), (2) Analysis of amino acid sequence of antigenic sites (epitopes) of the screened Fv-antibodies using computer simulation, (3) Vaccine development using protein particles (ferritin) with co-expressed epitopes, (4) Analysis of neutralization efficiency of anti-sera against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• 
  Jin-Il Kim

  Korea University College of Medicine

  Associate Professor

  Topic

  • HAs-NAu strategy for the development of better influenza vaccines

  Abstract

  • Even though we have managed our lives by dealing with pandemic viruses, another will come to test what we have prepared against it. Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5Nx) viruses may be on top of potential pandemic viruses in the future. As we may know, the influenza A virus (IAV) can infect various animal hosts, and the IAV goes through genetic drift and shift. Hence, different subtypes and antigenic IAVs are circulating simultaneously in nature. It will be one of the reasons that we need a universal influenza vaccine. However, it is difficult that subdominant but cross-reactive epitopes found in the stem region of hemagglutinin (HA), one of the two major surface glycoproteins in the viral envelope, are utilized sufficiently in any conventional influenza vaccine platform. To this end, mRNA or recombinant protein strategies of COVID-19 vaccines can be a breakthrough for developing universal influenza vaccines because, using either vaccine strategy, vaccine antigen contents can be manipulated. The HA antigen may deliver protection against seasonal influenza viruses, and neuraminidase (NA), another surface glycoprotein of IAVs, may work as a universal vaccine antigen because the NA evolves genetically slower than the HA. In this regard, a universal NA vaccine antigen can be designed even for avian H5Nx viruses.
• 
  KIM, Hyeon-Guk

  Korea National Institue of Health

  Senior staff Scientist

  Topic

  • SFTS mRNA Vaccine Research and Development

  Abstract

  • Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne emerging infectious disease and caused by Dabie bandavirus also known as SFTS virus (SFTSV) belonging to the genus Bandavirus. Since SFTS first reported in China in 2012, subsequently confirmed cases in recent years have been reported in South Korea and Japan with high mortality rate of over 20%. Despite the wide distribution and high fatality of SFTS, there is no licensed vaccine. Therefore, we evaluated immunogenicity and protective efficacy of SFTSV mRNA vaccine with research collaboration of Korea NIH and Moderna in mice.
    As a result of our study, the selected candidates showed more humoral and cellular immune responses as well as stimulating protective immunity than others. It indicated that these candidates have possibility as the most promising candidates for protection against SFTSV infections
• 
  Wang Linfa

  - Professor in the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases at DUKE-NUS Medical School, Singapore
  - Executive Director for the Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response (PREPARE), Singapore

  Professor

  Topic

  • Broad spectrum vaccine and mAbs for sarbecoviruses

  Abstract

  • Although the public health emergency is over for the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus variants are continuously circulating and mutating. It is therefore necessary for us to continue our effort to develop better and more effective vaccines and other countermeasures. In this presentation, we will focus on our approach for cross-clade boosting vaccine development as well as our latest data on broad-spectrum neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies for SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1 and animal sarbecoviruses.

Session 4. Current Status and Strategies in the Development of Vaccines for Emerging Infectious Disea

Speaker

• 
  Jung-Sun Yum

  CHA Vaccine Institute

  CEO

  Topic

  • Vaccine adjuvant platform

  Abstract

  • CHA Vaccine Institute is a “clinical stage biotech company” focused on the vaccines, both prophylactic and therapeutic for infectious disease, as well as cancer immunotherapy.
    Our core technology is vaccine adjuvant platform, which is based on TLR2 and TLR3 agonists. Vaccine adjuvant is a substance that increases or modulates the immune response to a vaccine. By using adjuvant technology, we can improve the efficacy of the current vaccines and also develop novel vaccines.
    In this presentation, I will introduce functional advantages of our adjuvant L-pampo and Lipo-pam and explain the current status of our vaccine pipelines using this platform.
• 
  Jinan Shin

  SK bioscience

  Vice President

  Topic

  • SKY mRNA Platform for Prophylactic Vaccine Development

  Abstract

  • Introduction: SK initiated research into mRNA vaccines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a relatively short period, the company secured its mRNA platform and undertook research and development for infectious diseases such as Covid, Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV*) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The SKY mRNA platform incorporated proprietary UTR combinations and poly A-tail modifications to enhance antigen expression, mRNA stability, and process convenience. With improved protein expression and process convenience, the platform now encompasses clinical-scale GMP production processes and analytical methods.
    Methods: Using the SKY mRNA platform, antigens for JEV and RSV were introduced to generate vaccine candidates. These candidates were administered to mice or rats to induce in vivo immune responses. Total antibody levels were assessed through ELISA, while neutralizing antibodies were evaluated using Focus Reduction Neutralization Test (FRNT) and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT). T-cell activity was examined through Intracellular Cytokine Staining (ICS) and Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot (ELISPOT). The efficacy of the vaccines was validated through a Challenge study.
    Results: In all groups administered with the JEV vaccine candidate, effective total antibody and neutralizing antibody formation were confirmed through ELISA and FRNT analyses. T-cell activity was verified through cytokine analysis. Ultimately, in the Challenge study using a lethal dose of JEV virus, all groups vaccinated with the JEV mRNA vaccine candidate showed no pathological signs, confirming the efficacy of the vaccine candidate.
    For the RSV vaccine candidate, analysis using ELISA and PRNT confirmed the induction of total antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in the vaccinated groups. Ongoing research is focused on developing a vaccine utilizing a novel form of prefusion antigen for RSV. Conclusions: By applying antigens of diverse infectious diseases such as Covid, JEV, and RSV to the SKY mRNA platform, reproducibility in production processes and in vivo immunogenicity were validated. This platform technology secures the foundation for developing prophylactic vaccines. The SKY mRNA platform is poised to play a crucial role in the rapid and effective development of vaccines in response to emerging infectious diseases in the future.
    (*:The Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) research project is being conducted with sponsorship from CEPI.)
• 
  Seok-Kyu Kim

  EuBiologics

  Director / Head of Business Development

  Topic

  • EuBiologics’ Vaccine Platform & RSV Vaccine Development

  Abstract

  • In order for effective vaccine development, there must be a distinctive vaccine platform others could not. EuBiologics is currently advancing the development of an RSV vaccine using its own TLR-4 Agonist (MPLA) adjuvant(immune enhancer) produced in-house, and SNAP (Spontaneous Nano-liposome Antigen Particle) technology, enabling the prompt antigen display in liposomes. All non-clinical trials have been successfully completed and EuBiologics obtained phase 1 IND approval from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in January 2023. In this presentation, I aim to introduce Eubiologics' cutting-edge vaccine platform, its diverse vaccine development portfolio, and the results from the non-clinical research on the RSV vaccine.
• 
  Chang-Yuil Kang

  Cellid Co., Ltd.

  Chief Executive Officer

  Topic

  • Strategy to develop effective multivalent COVID-19 vaccines against emerging variants based on adenovirus vector platform

  Abstract

  • The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron strain has evolved into highly divergent variants. We developed chimeric adenoviral vector (Ad5/35)-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, which are replaced with a serotype 35 fiber based on the backbone of serotype 5 adenovector for better antigen delivery. Our vaccine can effectively deliver spike genes to antigen-presenting cells through CD46 binding, which leads to effectively stimulating CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B cells in either direct or indirect ways. Our AdCLD-CoV19-1 OMI vaccine, encoding the spike protein of the BA.1 variant, is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. Additionally, we developed multivalent Omicron variant-specific vaccines using phylogenetic trees and antigenic cartography and demonstrated their superior ability to neutralize a wide range of variants in mice and macaques. These data suggest that the developed multivalent vaccines enhance immunity against circulating Omicron subvariants and effectively elicit neutralizing antibodies across a broad spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 variants.Our ongoing research explores combinations of next-generation multivalent vaccines to confer broad protection against newly emerging subvariants.