SaponiQx Advances Vaccine Development With the Availability of cGMP QS-21 From Its Proprietary Cultured Plant Cell Source

October 10, 2023 at 07:30 AM EDT

Agenus subsidiary, SaponiQx, a leader in saponin-based adjuvant discovery and production, announces a pivotal advancement in vaccine research and production with the availability of cGMP (current good manufacturing practice) STIMULON™ cultured plant cell (cpc) QS-21. STIMULON cpcQS-21 is a sustainable and cost-efficient alternative to conventionally extracted QS-21 from bark extract, used in high-performance vaccines such as SHINGRIX and AREXVY.

Key Highlights:

SaponiQx's STIMULON cpcQS-21 offers a groundbreaking alternative to traditional sources, eliminating need for tree bark, ensuring consistent, economical availability of this critical vaccine component.
Enhanced Scalability and Availability: With the capability to produce kilograms of material at scale, the SaponiQx platform has the potential to significantly bolster the global vaccine supply chain by making pandemic quantity vaccines more accessible.
Innovation in Adjuvant Discovery: Merging synthetic biology with Generative AI-enabled molecular design, SaponiQx is targeting new saponin adjuvants intended to create bespoke pairing of adjuvant and antigens for fine-tuned vaccine efficacy.

"SaponiQx is delivering an innovative process that reduces reliance on nature, streamlining a complex supply chain and resulting in a significant reduction in the costs of this vital product,” said SaponiQx's President and Chief Operating Officer, Chandresh Harjivan.

About SaponiQx

SaponiQx, a subsidiary of Agenus Inc., is a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of saponin-based adjuvant discovery and manufacturing for vaccine developers. Established in 2021, SaponiQx is dedicated to expanding access to cost-effective and scalable vaccine adjuvants as part of its mission to safeguard the health of global populations. Adjuvants play a vital role in enhancing immune responses, thereby improving vaccine efficacy, safety, and durability. Their flagship adjuvant QS-21 plays a crucial role in the AS01 adjuvant found in several leading vaccines. For more information visit https://saponiqx.com/.

Note: STIMULON is a registered trademark of SaponiQx Inc.

SHINGRIX and AREXVY are trademarks of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, S.A.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties regarding the future developments of vaccines and adjuvants. For a comprehensive understanding of these risks, we recommend referring to the Risk Factors section in Agenus’ latest Quarterly or Annual Report filed with the SEC.