Adjuvants are added to vaccines to increase antigen immunogenicity, enhancing and boosting the immune response. The ADJU-PLATFORM project has validated preclinically a previously developed synthetic technology, offering streamlined access to cost-effective saponin-based conjugates with commercial utility in vaccine development. We have executed an intellectual property strategy leading to an international patent application that has entered national phases. The project has also established a commercialization roadmap for accelerated market entry of our adjuvant platform via out-licensing, with the goal of enabling the future development of new vaccine solutions.
Most vaccines utilize adjuvants, substances that enhance the immunogenicity of the antigen and stimulate the immune system, thereby promoting a stronger and more prolonged immune response. Despite the promise of adjuvants based on naturally occurring saponins extracted from plants, there exist some inherent limitations associated to the natural product, including scarcity, heterogeneity, chemical instability and toxicity. The ADJU-PLATFORM project builds upon a saponin synthetic technology that enables access to a streamlined, structurally defined adjuvant candidates for conjugation of a range of homogeneous antigens towards the development of chemically pure, non-toxic self-adjuvanting vaccines. The high purity, chemical control and exquisite structural definition of our adjuvant platform are key features of our technology, making it a potentially superior alternative to existing vaccine modalities with more heterogeneity and costlier timelines. The overall objectives involved validation of our platform both at the synthetic/scale up and preclinical levels, as well as demonstration of its innovative potential by advancing intellectual property positions and commercialization opportunities of the technology. Facilitating technology transfer of our results via out-licensing to interested industrial partners represents a viable go-to-market strategy for our asset and will have significant socioeconomic impact on two fronts, fuelling innovation of the European pharmaceutical landscape for further clinical development, while benefiting the health care system and ultimately patients in need for improved vaccine solutions.
