Maxvax is pleased to announce that its innovative novel adjuvant team has successfully published a landmark research article in one of the world’s most prestigious scientific journals, Angewandte Chemie International Edition (Impact Factor 16.1). The article, titled "Enhanced Antitumor Immunity of a Globo H-Based Vaccine Enabled by the Combination Adjuvants of 3D-MPL and QS-21," focuses on advancing tumor immunity through novel adjuvant strategies. Maxvax’s wholly owned subsidiary, Shanghai Anyikang, played a pivotal role in this research, collaborating with esteemed partners from the Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Hainan University. (Full article link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202418948）

About novel adjuvants

Compared to traditional aluminum adjuvants, novel adjuvants can significantly enhance immune efficacy, thereby improving the protective effects of vaccines. In recent years, adjuvants have gained widespread use in tumor immunotherapy and have become a core component in vaccine development. To advance the research and development of adjuvants, it is essential to develop efficient, scalable preparation methods that yield high-quality and diverse adjuvant molecules, thereby facilitating the creation of novel vaccines.

About the application of novel adjuvants

The novel adjuvant system developed by Maxvax and its subsidiary enhances the anti-tumor immunity of Globo H glyco-vaccines, providing a solid foundation for the development of corresponding therapeutic vaccines. Globo H, a glycan antigen that is overexpressed in a variety of malignant tumors, holds potential as a target for therapeutic tumor vaccines. While several Globo H-based tumor immunizations have been designed, efficiently synthesizing Globo H hexasaccharide antigens and combining them with adjuvants to boost the immune response remains a challenge. In this study, we developed an effective chemical-enzymatic synthesis method that integrates chemical synthesis with enzymatic glycosidation. This approach enables the production of high-purity Globo H hexasaccharide antigens, facilitates efficient binding with carrier proteins, and improves stereochemical construction efficiency, with strong potential for large-scale production. In addition to the innovation in antigen synthesis, the study also explored the preparation, selection, and combination of related adjuvants.

In addition to the 3D-MPL, QS21, and KRN7000 adjuvants demonstrated in this study, Maxvax has independently developed over 20 types of adjuvant raw materials, created three mature delivery systems, and formulated more than 10 types of compound formulations. The company has established a vertically integrated industrial chain that spans adjuvant raw material research and development, production, adjuvant formulation development, and application. Leveraging its innovative adjuvant platform, Maxvax has also developed a series of preventive and therapeutic tumor vaccines. Maxvax is committed to advancing the independent research and development of new adjuvants, addressing sourcing challenges, and creating safer, more efficient adjuvant systems to support clinical applications and development.

About Maxvax

Established in 2016, Maxvax is a globally recognized biopharmaceutical company with a focus on the development, production, and commercialization of innovative vaccines and novel adjuvants. With six subsidiaries and a workforce of over 300 employees, the company has earned several accolades, including being named a national high-tech enterprise and a “Little Giant” enterprise in Sichuan Province, where it was founded. Additionally, Maxvax is consistently listed as a potential GEI Unicorn in China, reflecting its strong growth and innovation potential.

The company has developed a diversified product pipeline targeting infectious and allergic diseases as well as cancers. This includes preventive vaccines for major infectious diseases and therapeutic vaccines for HPV infections and various cancers. Three of Maxvax’s vaccine candidates have already entered clinical trials, a significant milestone in their journey towards commercialization. Maxvax is also advancing the industrialization of new adjuvants and human vaccines. The company has nearly completed its innovative vaccine transfer platform and is actively constructing industrialization bases to scale its operations and bring new products to market.