The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) hosted a delegation from the CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID) at its Seoul headquarters on August 4 2026, marking a significant step forward in bilateral vaccine research collaboration.

    Led by Dr. Likui Wang, Secretary-General of CEEID, and Prof. Haitao Hu from the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the delegation engaged in strategic discussions with IVI Director General Dr. Jerome Kim and senior leadership on joint efforts to advance innovative vaccine platforms.

    During the visit, Prof. Haitao Hu delivered a lecture titled "mRNA-based Vaccines and Therapeutics for Viral Diseases," showcasing the latest progress in mRNA technology and its potential applications for emerging infectious disease control. The presentation sparked in-depth discussions on collaborative opportunities, particularly in the context of pandemic preparedness.

    A major focus of the talks was a proposed tripartite collaboration involving Prof. Jerome Kim of IVI, and Professor George F. Gao of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to establish an mRNA vaccine initiative in China. The partnership aims to advance research on an mRNA vaccine, leveraging the complementary expertise of leading scientists and the unique regulatory advantages of the region.

    Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting health equity through sustained international cooperation in vaccine research and development.