Lipid Adjuvant Development

Lipid adjuvants are a class of adjuvants composed of lipids that are used in vaccines to enhance the immune response to delivered antigens and stimulate the immune system in a variety of ways. They can activate innate immune cells such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells, thereby increasing antigen presentation and activating adaptive immune responses. They can also help form a depot at the injection site, allowing sustained release of antigens and prolonged contact with immune cells. With extensive experience in the lipid field, BOC Sciences focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of lipid adjuvants for a variety of applications in drug delivery and vaccine development.

Monophosphoryl Lipid A

Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) is a derivative of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. As a TLR-4 agonist, MPL is a potent immunostimulant that has been extensively studied for its use in vaccine development. When bound to an antigen, MPL stimulates the innate immune system, which activates antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells. This activation increases antigen uptake, processing, and presentation, resulting in a stronger and longer-lasting immune response. Additionally, MPL has been shown to enhance antibody production, particularly IgG antibody production. This is important for vaccines against pathogens that require antibody-mediated immunity, such as bacterial infections.

Fig. 1. Adjuvants based on monophosphoryl lipid A.

Function of Vaccine Adjuvants

• Adjuvants can delay the release of antigens and protect antigens from hydrolysis, thereby prolonging the retention time of antigens in the body.
• Activates macrophages and promotes the interaction between macrophages and T and B cells, thereby specifically enhancing the stimulation of lymphocytes.
• After the adjuvant adsorbs the antigen, it increases the surface area of the antigen, making the antigen easy to be phagocytized by macrophages.
• Adjuvants stimulate the processing of antigens by phagocytes.
• Adjuvants stimulate the division of sensitized lymphocytes and the production of antibodies by plasma cells.
• Adjuvants increase the antibody titration of the body's primary and secondary immune responses.
• Adjuvants can alter the type of antibody production and produce delayed hypersensitivity reactions.

Our Adjuvant Development Capabilities

Lipid adjuvants have been used in various vaccines, including influenza, hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. They have been shown to enhance the immune response, thereby improving vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, lipid adjuvants are generally well tolerated and have a good safety profile.

Liposome Adjuvant Development

Liposomes are spherical vesicles composed of lipid bilayers. They can encapsulate antigens and deliver them to immune cells, enhancing their uptake and presentation. Liposomes can also be modified to target specific immune cells or tissues. BOC Sciences is a leading CRO offering comprehensive liposomal vaccine adjuvant development capabilities, including formulation optimization, immunogenicity assessment, stability studies and regulatory support. We can design and optimize liposomal adjuvants for vaccine development. Customers can customize the composition, size, charge and surface modification of liposomes to enhance stability, antigen encapsulation and immunogenicity according to their needs.

Emulsions Adjuvant Development

Emulsions are oil-in-water or water-in-oil formulations containing lipids. They can form stable emulsions with antigens for slow release and prolonged exposure to immune cells. Examples of emulsion adjuvants include MF59 and AS03. Scientists from BOC Sciences have expertise in designing emulsion adjuvants with specific properties such as particle size, stability, and antigen compatibility, allowing formulations to be tailored to optimize vaccine efficacy and safety. We are dedicated to providing custom solutions to optimize oil-in-water or water-in-oil adjuvants for specific vaccines and to help develop safer and more effective immunization strategies.

Lipid Nanoparticle Adjuvant Development

Lipid nanoparticles are lipid-based nanoparticles that can encapsulate antigens and deliver them to immune cells. They have a high surface area to volume ratio for efficient antigen presentation. Lipid nanoparticles can also be modified to enhance their stability and targeting capabilities. When it comes to lipid nanoparticle adjuvant development, BOC Sciences has the expertise and capabilities to support research and development in this field. We can synthesize various types of lipids and lipidoid materials suitable for nanoparticle formulation. Design and optimization of lipid nanoparticle formulations is also available at BOC Sciences, which includes selection of appropriate lipids, optimization of lipid ratios, and incorporation of additional ingredients to enhance stability and immunogenicity.

Advantages of Our Adjuvants

• Organic laboratory for synthesis and scale-up of lipid products
• cGMP lipid adjuvant manufacturing capability
• Analytical laboratory for product stability testing
• High standard purification methods to ensure high purity adjuvant products
• PEGylation support for lipid adjuvant products

BOC Sciences provides comprehensive services related to adjuvant development, including adjuvant design, synthesis, formulation and characterization. Our researchers stay abreast of the latest regulations and guidelines related to adjuvant production and ensure that all of our products and services meet the necessary regulatory requirements. We are committed to using rigorous testing and characterization techniques to ensure the high purity, high stability and high safety of the adjuvants produced.