Call for applications - 2025 hands-on training for upstream process in cell-based vaccine manufacturing organized by the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B) in the Republic of Korea, supported by the World Health Organization

Background

Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) face significant inequities in terms of access to vaccines and other biologics and are making efforts to establish biological manufacturing within their regions. Establishing such manufacturing capacity, through bilateral technology transfer or local R&D efforts, is often hindered by the lack of a trained workforce in biomanufacturing.

To address this gap and build biomanufacturing capacity in LMICs, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) of the Republic of Korea established the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B). The hub's mandate is to provide training in the manufacturing of high-quality vaccines and biologics in an industrial setting, aiming to resolve inequality in access to vaccines and biologics worldwide by expanding manufacturing capacity in LMICs.

There is an urgent need for developing countries to improve vaccine access by developing local biomanufacturing capabilities, which are hindered by a shortage of trained personnel. GTH-B is helping these countries by providing essential biomanufacturing training, aiming to expand the technical know-how and capability for sustainable vaccine R&D and manufacture in LMICs by facilitating vaccine manufacturing apprenticeships.

A crucial aspect of such training is the hands-on experience provided at a real biomanufacturing facility. The GTH-B will operate four batches of hands-on training utilizing public biomanufacturing facilities in the Republic of Korea. The first is a 5–6-week program (including a pre-online training course) at the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and the Korea Biopharmaceutical CMO Centre (K-Bio CMO), targeting 20 individuals and focusing on the upstream process in cell-based vaccine manufacturing. The second is a 6-week program (including a pre-online training course) at the KBIOHealth and the Seoul National University Siheung Campus, targeting 20 individuals and focusing on antibody practical training. The third is a 7-week program (including a pre-online training course) at the Hwasun site (JBRC and K-VCAST), targeting 20 individuals and focusing on the biopharmaceutical GMP training Course. The last is a 7-week program (including a pre-online training course) at the Korean National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (K-NIBRT), targeting 30 individuals and focusing on mRNA vaccine manufacturing.

These programs not only offer practical training in biomanufacturing and analytical techniques but also prepare participants to meet industry demands. By enhancing the skills of the workforce, this initiative strengthens the healthcare infrastructure of LMICs, fostering self-reliance and contributing to a more equitable global healthcare system.  

The purpose of the Hands-on Training is to enhance the technical knowledge and capabilities of vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturers from LMICs in the processes of vaccine research, development, and manufacturing. The focus is on providing extensive hands-on training in industrial facilities, enabling participants to gain practical experience and a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in vaccine production.

The training also supports participants in applying newly acquired skills to enhance vaccine production capabilities in their home institutions through strategic collaborations among local biomanufacturers, Korea Biopharmaceutical CMO (K-Bio CMO), and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), thereby contributing to the ongoing enhancement of LMICs’ biomanufacturing capability.

Training schedule and venues

Training Method

The training program utilizes a blend of theoretical instruction through live online and in-person lectures and practical hands-on training, complemented by apprenticeships and mentorship programs. Key components include interactive workshops and seminars, as well as networking opportunities with international biomanufacturers. Direct experience at vaccine manufacturing facilities and regular evaluations ensure a comprehensive learning experience. Pre-online training and follow-ups after the hands-on training will include several sessions of live online (real-time) interactions.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet the following qualifications to be considered eligible for the training:

• Be a citizen of, and resident in, an LMIC.
• Be employed by a company registered as a legal entity in an LMIC conducting activities in the scope of biomanufacturing.
• Hold a position in the company as a technician, engineer, scientist, or manager in biomanufacturing or a related field, with up to 6 years of experience.
• Have an educational background in life sciences.
• Have at least an intermediate level of proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrate in the application how the acquired knowledge, skills and competencies during the training will be applied after the training in the institution the participant is coming from.

Application submission

All applications must be submitted online at the following link: https://ivionlinecampus.ivi.int/ by June 5, 2025, 18:00 Korea Standard Time (KST).

Applicants must provide the following information:

• Personal information including nationality, country of residence, passport number, name, date of birth, gender, contact details, and others.
• Information about the institution.
• Information about educational background.
• Information about work experience.
• Information about English proficiency.
• Information about GTH-B training history

Applicants must upload the following documents:

• A copy of their passport.
• A letter of endorsement: A letter from the Director of the applicant’s institution confirming the applicant's capability to successfully undertake the training and certifying their current employment status. (A sample endorsement letter is available on the application page of the website.)

 Applicants must demonstrate the following:

• A description of their current position and justification for their selection.
• A description of the relevance of the training to their professional project.
• A description of the knowledge and skills they wish to acquire during the training.
• A description of their institution’s needs related to the training and the anticipated impact on their institution.
• A description of the plan to apply and share the acquired knowledge and skills after returning to their home institution upon completion of the training.
• Agreement to the GTH-B code of conduct.

Selection process

The selection process involves the following steps:

• Eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of members recommended by the MoHW of the Republic of Korea and WHO.
• Once the selection process is completed, selected participants will be notified of the next steps and required information via email.
• Due to limited capacity, a maximum of 3 participants from each country will be selected. The decision will be made by the selection committee in collaboration with the home institution.
• Institutions involved solely in animal vaccine production must provide a letter to GTH-B stating their institutional plan to expand into human vaccine production if they wish to send participants for training.

Priority will be given to trainees with certificates from completing the following GTH-B training programs:

• Introductory Course for Biologics Development and Manufacturing
• Introductory Course for Standard Practice (GxP)​

Equality, diversity, and inclusivity     

The MoHW of the Republic of Korea and WHO are dedicated to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity in science. Women are particularly encouraged to apply, and all qualified applicants are welcomed regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, cultural background, social status, or (dis)ability status.

Financial provisions

The course is offered free of charge to participants. Accommodation will be provided during the entire course days and weekends. On weekdays, all three meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—will be provided, while only breakfast will be available on weekends.

The cost of travel to/from Seoul, Republic of Korea will NOT be covered. Selected applicants will be responsible for obtaining flights and any necessary vaccinations and visas for entering Korea. However, transportation during the program, including travel from the airport to Seoul, from Seoul to Andong, and from Andong to the airport, will be provided for all selected applicants. 

Contact information

For further questions related to this, please contact the course coordinator at gthb@gthbsf.org.

An automatic email acknowledging receipt of the application will be sent from gthb@coordinator.ivi.int. This acknowledgment does not confirm that the application is eligible for review.

 Appendix I. Tentative training agenda

1. Didactic training (online, 2 weeks)

• Pre-Requisite Session: Attend online Introductory Course for Biologics Development and Manufacturing
• Pre-Online Session:

2. Didactic training at IVI (in person, 2 Days)

3. Hands-on training at K-Bio CMO (4 weeks)