The Korea National Enterprise for Clinical Trials (KONECT) said Wednesday that it has agreed with SK Bioscience to help recruit phase 3 clinical trial participants for the first Korean-made Covid-19 vaccine.

Under the agreement, the two sides will share the information on the agency and research team for linking participants, share information on the number of participants participating in each planned stage of the trial, sharply increase the amount of compensation in case of adverse effects, and develop and apply incentives to reinvigorate the clinical trial.

Beginning from the phase 3 trial, they will apply incentives to participants. If they sign the agreement, the participants will get certificates of participation. After the administration, they get the vaccine certificate. Applicants can have more information on incentives at covid19.koreaclinicaltrials.or.kr.

Interest in trial participation has grown, as shown by the increasing inquiries and applications, according to KONECT.

“We feel a tremendous responsibility to make GBP510 a success to contribute to the public health of the world beyond Korea,” SK Bioscience CEO Ahn Jae-yong said.

KONECT Chairman Bae Byeong-jun also said, “After the announcement of the approval for phase 3 trial of SK Bioscience, participant application has increased dramatically to more than 5,000 in cumulative total.

By utilizing a public platform, KONECT will actively support rapid and effective recruitment of participants and connect them to developers, he added.

Not all 5,000 applicants will participate in SK Bioscience’s trial but will be allocated to other companies, according to KONECT. 

The vaccine incentives may differ according to the company, but hourly pays and compensation for side effects will be included.