1 Billion Vaccine Adjuvant Doses Promised

London based GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) confirmed its intention to manufacture 1 billion doses of its pandemic vaccine adjuvant system in 2021.

Adjuvant Systems are formulations of classical adjuvants mixed with immunomodulators, specifically adapted to the antigen and the target population.

This aggressive commitment by GSK announced on May 28, 2020, is to support the development of multiple adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine candidates.

As an example, AS04 is an Adjuvant System that has demonstrated significant achievements in several vaccines against viral diseases.

In a press statement, GSK stated: ‘GSK believes that its pandemic adjuvant technology could make a significant contribution against COVID-19.’  

‘As demonstrated in the last flu pandemic, GSK’s pandemic adjuvant can reduce the amount of vaccine protein required per dose, which allows more vaccine doses to be produced, contributing to protecting more people.’ 

‘Additionally, an adjuvant can enhance the immune response and has been shown to create a stronger and longer-lasting immunity against infections.’

Roger Connor, President, GSK Global Vaccines, said: “We believe that more than 1 vaccine will be needed to address this global (COVID-19) pandemic and we are working with partners around the world to do so.”

“We believe that our innovative pandemic adjuvant technology has the potential to help improve the efficacy and scale-up of multiple COVID-19 vaccines.” 

“With this significant expansion in our manufacturing capacity, we can help deliver up to 1 billion doses of adjuvanted vaccines through 2021, helping protect many more people and support the global effort to fight COVID-19.”

Given the unprecedented need to develop COVID-19 vaccines, GSK has started the manufacture of the adjuvant at risk. The company is in discussions with Governments and global institutions about funding for production and supply of the adjuvant.

GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer.

Precision Vaccinations publishes coronavirus vaccine development news.