What is QS-21 ?
It’s a fraction of triterpenoid saponins purified from bark extracts of the Quillaja saponaria Molina, an evergreen tree native to central Chile, being advantageously used in the formulation of adjuvants for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.
A mixture of two isomeric molecules: QS-21-Xyl and QS-21 Api.
An outstanding immunostimulant agent, capable of inducing both humoral as well as cell mediated immunity.
Its amphipathic nature makes it suitable for a range of vaccine formulations: liposomes, nanoparticles or emulsions.
Advantages of a sustainable sourcing
It is a natural ingredient for vaccine formulation.
Lower antigen requirements, helping to potentiate weaker antigens.
Enhances duration and onset of immune response.
Augments antibody and helper/cytotoxic T-cell responses; when formulated with antigens, it triggers a balanced immune response.
Can be used independently or combined with other adjuvants: for example, AS01 and AS02 adjuvants from GSK; QS-21 + 3-O-desacyl-4’-monophosphoryl lipid A [MPL].
Because of its amphipathic properties, QS-21 is likely to stay in close proximity to the antigen, and it is suitable for a wide range of formulations with antigens and/or other adjuvants.
Quality and consistency guaranteed
Desert King chooses the best QS-21 bark material to purify through its automated selection processes.
It has developed a production process with a higher yield (0.08% as g of pure QS-21 per g processed bark) than previously reported (< 0.001%); if required, the production will be scaled to hundreds of grams in the medium-term (starting from 2020).
Based on the afforementioned, the process developed the production of GMP QS-21 through an European CMO (available from 2019).
Desert King's Innovative Production Technology
Desert King employs the sustainable production of natural extracts technology to produce QS-21, which not only eliminates reliance on natural resources but also significantly improves production efficiency. By optimizing culture conditions, Desert King can produce QS-21 that is highly consistent with natural QS-21 in both structure and function, while ensuring batch-to-batch consistency and high purity (≥96%).
Compared to traditional methods, plant cell culture technology offers the following advantages:
Sustainability: Reduces dependence on Quillaja saponaria resources and protects the environment.
Efficiency: Short production cycles and stable yields meet large-scale demand.
High Quality: High product purity and low endotoxin levels meet pharmaceutical standards.