Vaccine Adjuvants: Boosting Immune Responses
Vaccines play a crucial role in preventing infectious
diseases by triggering the immune system to produce a protective response
against pathogens. However, some vaccines may require additional components
called adjuvants to enhance their immunogenicity and efficacy. Vaccine
adjuvants are substances that are added to vaccines to enhance their potency,
duration, and effectiveness.
Adjuvants are typically added to vaccines to improve the
body's immune response to the antigen, the substance that induces an immune
response. They work by activating the immune system and boosting the body's
natural response to the antigen. Vaccine adjuvants can also help reduce the
amount of antigen needed in a vaccine and increase the duration of the immune
response, resulting in a longer-lasting and more robust protection against the
targeted pathogen.
Adjuvants can be classified into different categories,
including mineral salts, oil emulsions, liposomes, and nanoparticles. Aluminum
salts, such as aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate, are the most commonly
used adjuvants in vaccines. They work by forming a depot at the injection site,
where the antigen and adjuvant are released slowly, stimulating a prolonged immune
response.
Oil emulsions are another type of adjuvant commonly used in
vaccines. They work by creating an antigen depot that slowly releases the
antigen over time, leading to a stronger and longer-lasting immune response.
Liposomes and nanoparticles are also used as adjuvants in some vaccines, and
they work by enhancing the uptake of the antigen by immune cells.
The use of adjuvants in vaccines has become increasingly
important in recent years, as researchers continue to develop new vaccines and
explore new ways to combat infectious diseases. Adjuvants have been
instrumental in the development of vaccines against several infectious
diseases, including hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), and shingles.
Despite their benefits, some people may be concerned about
the safety of vaccine adjuvants. However, extensive testing and clinical trials
have shown that adjuvants used in vaccines are safe and well-tolerated by most
people. The benefits of vaccination, including the prevention of infectious
diseases, far outweigh any potential risks associated with adjuvants.
Dynamics of Vaccine Adjuvants Market
Drivers in Vaccine
Adjuvants Market
The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases, such as
influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV, among others, is one of the primary
drivers of the vaccine adjuvants market's growth. According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), seasonal influenza alone results in millions of cases of
severe illness and respiratory deaths each year, and in 2020, about 30% of the
tested specimens for influenza were found to be positive. Furthermore, the
market is influenced by unmet demand for specific vaccines, government
vaccination recommendations, technological advances, and increased use of combined
and synthetic vaccines.
Various government agencies across the globe are promoting
and raising awareness about vaccinations against several diseases, such as
anthrax, BCG, hepatitis, HPV, influenza, varicella, smallpox, and other
conditions. For instance, in 2021, the United States Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) invested nearly USD 10 billion to increase access to
vaccines and better help communities of color, rural, low-income, and other
marginalized communities in response to COVID-19. Such government initiatives
on immunization in the country increase the use of vaccines, thereby positively
impacting the vaccine adjuvants market's growth.
In addition, the recent development of an adjuvant called
Alhydroxiquim-II has enhanced the efficacy of India's COVID-19 vaccine. The
COVAXIN COVID-19 vaccine, which has been administered to about 25 million
individuals in India and other countries, was made effective with the use of
this adjuvant developed by the Lawrence-based biotech company ViroVax LLC. The
adjuvant was developed and evaluated in the lab with funding provided by the
NIAID Adjuvant Development Program.
Restraints in Vaccine
Adjuvants Market
One of the main restraints in the use of vaccine adjuvants
is the skepticism about animal-sourced ingredients, such as squalene, which is
derived from shark liver oil. The use of this ingredient has led to the
overfishing of sharks. According to the conservationist group Shark Allies,
almost 300,000 sharks need to be killed to develop just one dose of the
COVID-19 vaccine for the global population. Moreover, the restrictions on
imports and exports due to facility closures during the COVID-19 pandemic had a
short-term negative impact on the market's growth in the initial phase of the
pandemic due to supply chain disruptions and the unavailability of human
resources.
However, the market's growth has been positively impacted in
the post-pandemic phase by the introduction of several vaccines for COVID-19.
In 2022, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted an emergency
use authorization for the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, which is adjuvanted and
designed for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals aged 18 years and above.
Additionally, the United States Department of Health and Human Services
collaborated with the Department of Defense to secure 3.3 million doses of
Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, which is protein-based and adjuvanted. This vaccine
is expected to be available for free to states, jurisdictions, federal pharmacy
partners, and federally qualified health centers if it receives the United
States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and
recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These
instances are likely to augment the market's growth in the future, despite the
limitations on shark fishing and animal-sourced vaccine adjuvants.
Opportunities in
Vaccine Adjuvants Market
The Global Vaccine Adjuvants Market is experiencing growth
opportunities owing to the rising funding for vaccines and infectious disease
research activities. The emergence of COVID-19 has led to the recognition of
the significance of research on infectious diseases, resulting in increased
government initiatives for vaccinations and the prevention of avoidable
epidemics. Moreover, the prevalence of infectious and zoonotic diseases and the
emergence of chronic diseases are also contributing factors to the growth of
the market.
Challenges in Vaccine
Adjuvants Market
However, the use of vaccine adjuvants is not without
challenges. Side effects and high toxicity associated with adjuvants are major
challenges hindering market growth. Adjuvants such as aluminum-based adjuvants
can lead to mild reactions and frequent occurrence of granulomas. High levels
of these salts can cause neurological disorders and dialysis-associated
dementia. These limitations need to be addressed to ensure the safe and
effective use of vaccine adjuvants.
The Global Vaccine Adjuvants Market report provides a
comprehensive analysis of the market, including key segments, trends, drivers,
restraints, and competitive landscape. It offers a holistic evaluation of the
market and the factors playing a substantial role in its growth. It is
essential to address the challenges associated with vaccine adjuvants to ensure
their safe and effective use in combating infectious diseases.
Ecosystem of Vaccine Adjuvants Market
The vaccine adjuvants market is categorized into various
product segments, including adjuvant emulsions, pathogen components,
saponin-based adjuvants, particulate adjuvants, and other adjuvants. Among
these, the adjuvant emulsions segment is projected to hold the dominant
position during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the increasing
use of adjuvant emulsions in COVID-19 vaccines and the rising number of adjuvanted
vaccines in general.
Geographically, the market is segmented into North America,
Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North
America has been the largest regional market for vaccine adjuvants and is
expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. This can be
attributed to several factors, such as the presence of key market players,
advanced technology, and growing investment in vaccine research and
development. Additionally, government and non-government initiatives,
immunization programs, and increased demand for combined vaccines have further
fueled market growth in the region. For example, in June 2022, retail
pharmacies in the United States administered and reported over 250 million
doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including eight million doses administered onsite
to long-term care facilities in the early days of the vaccination program.
The product type of mineral salt-based adjuvants is expected
to experience significant growth during the forecast period. The most commonly
used adjuvants in human vaccines are alum vaccine supplements, which are
aluminum-based salts that include aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, and
aluminum hydroxyphosphate. In addition to alum, calcium salts, iron, and
zirconium are also used as alternatives. For instance, calcium phosphate is
regularly used in vaccines for diseases like diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis
(DTP), polio, yellow fever, and BCG. It enhances soluble antigens and covertly
expresses them in the immune system. As per a recently published article titled
"An Overview of Vaccine Adjuvants: Current Evidence and Future
Perspectives," aluminum salts are the most frequently used adjuvants in
most vaccinations approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human use. These adjuvants
have been included in vaccine formulations for the longest period, and adding
more adjuvants is considered the only way to increase the safety and
effectiveness of vaccines. Therefore, it is crucial to research new molecules
and substances with adjuvant properties and increase the number of in vitro and
in vivo investigations to improve vaccine efficacy.
Recent developments in the Vaccine Adjuvants Market include
the development of new adjuvants, including oil-in-water emulsions, liposomes,
and nanoparticles. These new adjuvants have been shown to improve the immune
response of vaccines and reduce the amount of vaccine required per dose.
Another significant development in the Vaccine Adjuvants
Market is the use of mRNA technology in vaccine development. This technology
has allowed for the development of highly effective vaccines for COVID-19 and
other diseases. The use of adjuvants in mRNA vaccines is also being studied to
enhance their effectiveness.
Additionally, there has been a growing concern about the use
of animal-sourced adjuvants, such as squalene derived from shark liver oil.
This has led to the development of new, plant-based adjuvants, which are
considered to be more sustainable and ethical.
Dominating Companies in Vaccine Adjuvants Market
- GSK PLC
- DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES
- NOVAVAX
- AGENUS INC.
- CRODA INTERNATIONAL PLC
- SEPPIC (SUBSIDIARY OF AIR LIQUIDE GROUP)
- PHIBRO ANIMAL HEALTH CORPORATION
- SPI PHARMA (SUBSIDIARY OF ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS PLC)
- CSL LIMITED
- MERCK KGAA
- OZ BIOSCIENCES
- INVIVOGEN
- ALLERGY THERAPEUTICS
- VERTELLUS
- EUBIOLOGICS CO., LTD.
- PACIFIC GENETECH LIMITED
- HAWAII BIOTECH INC.
- RIBOXX GMBH
- CAPTIVATE PHARMACEUTICALS LLC
- VAXINE PTY LTD.
- CREATIVE DIAGNOSTICS
- LITEVAX BV
- MUKTA INDUSTRIES
- ONCOVIR, INC.
- TITERMAX USA, INC
- Adjuvatis
- GlaxoSmithKline PLC
Recent Developments in Vaccine Adjuvants Market
- One of the notable mergers/acquisitions in the vaccine
adjuvants field is the acquisition of Novavax by Praha Vaccines. In 2021, Praha
Vaccines, a subsidiary of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, acquired Novavax, a
US-based biotechnology company that specializes in developing vaccine
adjuvants. The acquisition is expected to enhance Praha Vaccines' manufacturing
capabilities and expand its portfolio of vaccines.
- Another significant partnership was formed between Vaxine
Pty Ltd and Medytox in 2019. Vaxine, an Australian biotechnology company,
entered into a partnership with Medytox, a South Korean biopharmaceutical
company, to develop a new vaccine adjuvant technology. The partnership aimed to
develop a novel vaccine delivery platform that could be used to create vaccines
for infectious diseases such as influenza and COVID-19.
- In 2020, a joint venture was formed between Adjuvatis and
Vakzine Projekt Management. Adjuvatis, a French biotechnology company that
specializes in vaccine adjuvants, partnered with Vakzine Projekt Management, a
German company that provides project management services to the
biopharmaceutical industry. The joint venture aimed to develop new vaccine
adjuvants and improve the manufacturing process for existing adjuvants.
- In 2019, Invivogen announced a partnership with OZ
Biosciences to co-develop new vaccine adjuvants. Invivogen, a French
biotechnology company that develops innovative tools for life science research,
teamed up with OZ Biosciences, a French biotechnology company that specializes
in developing and manufacturing transfection reagents and other life science
research tools. The partnership aimed to develop new vaccine adjuvants that
could enhance the efficacy of vaccines and improve patient outcomes.
- In February 2022, the Swiss biopharmaceutical company
BioNTech announced a partnership with the French biotech company Innate Pharma
to develop and commercialize a new cancer immunotherapy that combines
BioNTech's mRNA vaccine technology with Innate Pharma's proprietary NK cell
engager technology.
- In November 2021, the US biotechnology company Icosavax
announced a merger with the Danish company AdaptVac to form a new company
called CorVax. The new company will focus on developing and commercializing
vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer using Icosavax's virus-like
particle (VLP) technology and AdaptVac's capsid virus-like particle (cVLP)
technology.
- In September 2021, the Dutch biotechnology company Intravacc
announced a partnership with the German biotech company Leukocare to develop a
new COVID-19 vaccine using Intravacc's Vero cell line technology and
Leukocare's formulation technology. The two companies will also collaborate on
the development of other vaccines and immunotherapies.
- In May 2021, the US biotech company Novavax announced a
partnership with the Indian vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India to
produce Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine in India. Under the agreement, Serum Institute
will manufacture and distribute the vaccine in India and other low- and
middle-income countries.
In conclusion, vaccine adjuvants play a crucial role in
enhancing the immune response to vaccines and improving their efficacy.
Adjuvants are used in a variety of vaccines and have been instrumental in the
development of new vaccines against several infectious diseases. Despite
concerns about their safety, adjuvants used in vaccines have been extensively
tested and proven to be safe and effective in most people. As researchers
continue to develop new vaccines and explore new ways to combat infectious
diseases, adjuvants will remain an important component in the fight against
infectious diseases.
1.
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