Evonik brings plant-based squalene onto the market to increase the effectiveness of vaccines

09.12.2022 12:44

Evonik has launched a non-animal-derived squalene suitable for vaccines and other pharmaceutical applications. PhytoSquene® is the first known squalene on the market obtained from amaranth oil that can be used as an adjuvant, i.e. as an excipient, in parenteral dosage forms. PhytoSquene® meets the demand for a safe commercial supply of squalene that is not of animal origin. Non-GMP samples of PhytoSquene® are available now, with GMP quality to follow in 2023.

With the market launch of PhytoSquene®, Evonik offers an alternative to squalene of animal origin, which is usually obtained from shark liver oil for pharmaceutical applications. Preserving biodiversity and ecosystems by reducing the need for animal products is an important focus for Evonik and its Life Science Nutrition & Care division.

Nutrition & Care has formulated a clear vision to convert more than 70 percent of its portfolio, measured by sales, to Next Generation Solutions by 2032. These products are based on a thorough portfolio assessment and offer superior sustainability benefits.

“It is alarming that biodiversity on our planet is declining at a rapid pace. “We are therefore pleased that we can support our customers in developing products that preserve biological diversity while at the same time providing high-quality treatments for patients,” says Thomas Riermeier, Head of the Health Care Business Line at Evonik.

PhytoSquene® is made from amaranth oil (Amaranthus caudatus), an herbaceous plant grown in many parts of the world. Because PhytoSquene® is derived from plants, consistency, quality and purity are guaranteed from batch to batch. PhytoSquene® complies with the specifications of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) and there is no risk of pathogen transmission. PhytoSquene® is also a solution for patients who, for cultural or religious reasons, cannot use products of animal origin.

PhytoSquene® is Evonik's latest innovation that brings sustainable, non-animal-derived solutions to the market. At the beginning of this year, Evonik launched the pharmaceutical-grade plant cholesterol PhytoChol®.

Squalene is a natural organic compound used as a component of some adjuvant systems. Adjuvants are additives that strengthen the body's immune response to the active ingredient in a vaccine. They reduce the amount of active ingredient required, making vaccine production faster and easier to scale and reducing the risk of side effects in patients.

As a partner to the pharmaceutical industry, Evonik Health Care has been a leader in advanced drug delivery for decades. The company supports pharmaceutical companies worldwide with comprehensive services in the development and manufacture of complex parenteral and oral drug products. This includes pharmaceutical excipients such as polymers and lipids, the development of formulations and the production of clinical samples as well as commercial drugs.