[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha-yeon] #Yubiologics is accelerating the development of the 5-valent meningococcal conjugate vaccine “EuMenin 5” as its next-generation growth engine, following its cholera vaccine “UbiCol.”

Y-Biologics announced on the 8th that it is currently conducting Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for EuMenin 5 in Africa with support from the Wright Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. EuMenin 5 is a vaccine that prevents five serogroups of meningococcal disease—A, C, W, Y, and X—and is primarily targeting the public procurement market in the “Meningitis Belt” region of sub-Saharan Africa, where the incidence of meningitis is high.

Once clinical results are secured, the company plans to pursue entry into the procurement markets of international organizations such as UNICEF by obtaining export marketing authorization and completing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Prequalification (PQ) process. At the same time, it is preparing to enter the private market in collaboration with South African vaccine manufacturer Biovac.

The reason Yumenin 5 is drawing attention is that U-Biologics has already established a track record of success in the international procurement market with its cholera vaccine, UbiCol. Since obtaining WHO PQ, UbiCol has generated stable revenue through supplies to UNICEF and other international organizations, serving as the company’s flagship cash cow.

If Umenin 5 also secures approval and WHO PQ, it is expected to be a product capable of targeting both the public and private markets simultaneously. Internally, the company anticipates that the market size for 4- and 5-valent meningococcal vaccines could grow to a level comparable to that of UbiCol.

Technological competitiveness is also cited as a key strength. Umenin 5 utilizes “EuVCT,” a conjugate vaccine platform developed in-house by U-BioLogics. The company explained that by leveraging its recombinant CRM197 technology, it has increased production yield by more than tenfold compared to conventional methods. Given that price competitiveness is crucial in the public procurement market, these improvements in production efficiency are expected to help secure future contract wins.

An investment industry insider stated, “YubioLogics has accumulated experience in production, quality, and supply in the international procurement market through UbiCol,” adding, “If Umenin 5 successfully passes clinical trials and the WHO PQ process, it could become the next-generation momentum that drives earnings growth and a valuation re-rating.”