Innovative Alternative to Shark-Derived Squalene Using Synthetic Biology
Non-shark derived, engineered by synthetic biology. Our pharmaceutical-grade Squalene has superior purity, naturally setting it apart on the market.
An innovative alternative to shark-derived squalene using synthetic biology
There is a significant need for a highly purified alternative to shark-derived squalene to meet the requirements of the vaccine industry. To mitigate the devastating impact on deep-sea shark populations, we are proud to offer a sustainably sourced, sugar-derived Squalene carrying the same benefits as shark-derived squalene.
Pharmaceutical grade Squalene using synthetic biology
Produced using cutting-edge technology that centres on synthetic biology, our pharmaceutical-grade squalene has superior purity, naturally setting it apart on the market. Fermentation based, our Squalene uses yeast isoprenoid pathway engineering, through proprietary technology developed by Amyris. Our purification excellence enables access to a highly purified grade of product for all of your research needs.
What is squalene? And why is there a strong need for vaccine formulations?
Squalene is an organic compound with powerful bioactive properties1. As a naturally occurring oil, squalene has successfully been used in various emulsion-based vaccine adjuvant formulations. They do not only initiate potent innate and adaptive immune responses2 but also have established safety records. This has ignited interest in squalene and inspired the search for more sustainable alternatives.
Squalene-based emulsions
Squalene-based emulsions are used in licensed seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. Furthermore, there are clinical development projects for prophylactic vaccines ongoing, for example those against tuberculosis, shingles, schistosomiasis, HIV and other severe diseases, combining squalene with a TLR4 agonist in their emulsion adjuvant.
What is squalene?
Squalene is a natural lipid belonging to the terpenoid family. Its name is derived from the Latin name squalus for shark.
Most plants, fungi, and animals produce squalene as a biochemical precursor in sterol biosynthesis, including cholesterol and steroid hormones in the human body.
What types of vaccines use squalene?
Squalene is vital adjuvant used in many influenza vaccines as an emulsion component such as in MF59, AS03, and AF03. These emulsions generate strong immune response by generating strong cell responses and antibody production. These properties have made these emulsions interesting candidates in various developmental vaccines that protect against tuberculosis, shingles, schistosomiasis, HIV, and other diseases due to combining squalene with a TLR4 agonist within the emulsion to produce an immune stimulating response.
How is squalene used in vaccine formulations?
Squalene is not an adjuvant on its own. It is an important compound in some vaccine adjuvant systems. It is incorporated in squalene-based emulsions, together with surfactants and other lipids, for example DSPC, DMPC, DLPC, DOPC). It can also be combined with PHAD.
Not only is Avanti’s Squalene a sustainably sourced alternative, but it has superior purity compared to the shark derived squalene.
Be sure to check out Avanti’s Squalene for all of your research needs!
For more information on squalene, check out the references below:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 27). Adjuvants and vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesaf...
Nguyen-Contant, P., Sangster, M. Y., & Topham, D. J. (2021, March 17). Squalene-based influenza vaccine adjuvants and their impact on the hemagglutinin-specific B cell response. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...
Sustainably sourced squalene. Croda Pharma. (n.d.). https://www.crodapharma.com/en...