Insight

SaponiQx, Probius, and Ginkgo Bioworks Collaborate on Next-Gen Vaccine Adjuvants

dreamcollaborative.com

Jan 22, 2025, 16:43

SaponiQx, Probius, and Ginkgo Bioworks Collaborate on Next-Gen Vaccine Adjuvants

SaponiQx, Probius, and Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. will be joining forces with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).

This strategic partnership combines SaponiQx’s expertise in saponin-based adjuvant discovery with Probius’s cutting-edge Quantum Electrochemical Spectroscopy (QES) technology, which provides unprecedented insights into the molecular properties of complex saponins.

By integrating QES with high-throughput biological and physicochemical data, the team will leverage Generative Molecular Design AI algorithms to rapidly identify and optimize superior adjuvants.

The collaboration aims to address emerging viral, bacterial, and fungal threats by developing adjuvants that can significantly enhance vaccine efficacy, durability, and global preparedness.

Building on the proven success of Agenus’ QS-21 Stimulon platform used in vaccines for Shingles, Malaria, and RSV, this partnership has the potential to revolutionize the speed and precision with which new adjuvants are discovered and manufactured, ensuring a robust defense against evolving biological threats.

About SaponiQx

SaponiQx, founded in 2021 as a subsidiary of Agenus Inc., is a company in the field of saponin-based adjuvant development. Dedicated to advancing global health, SaponiQx focuses on creating efficient and accessible vaccine adjuvants. The company’s flagship product, STIMULON™ QS-21, plays a crucial role in the AS01 adjuvant formulation, which is featured in a number of leading vaccines.

About Probius

Probius, located in Fremont, CA, is an innovative deep-tech company dedicated to bridging the gap between biology and advanced technologies. By combining physics, mathematics, and biological data, Probius is creating new opportunities in biomedical research and healthcare. With over ten years of research and development, and more than $15M in support from the Department of Defense and private investors, the company is now focused on commercializing its groundbreaking platform.

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Ginkgo Bioworks, founded in 2008 by five MIT scientists led by Jason Kelly, is an American biotech company that specializes in genetic engineering. The company focuses on designing custom bacteria for industrial use, helping other biotech companies avoid the initial stages of synthetic biology development. Known as the “Organism Company,” Ginkgo became one of the largest privately held biotech firms, valued at $4.2 billion in 2019. It went public in 2021 through a SPAC merger, further expanding its influence in the biotech space.