Supriyadi Hafiz, a Senior Scientist at Merck with over 11 years of experience in life science R&D, presents on the development of non-animal origin squalenes, focusing on their applications from fermentations to vaccinations. Hafiz highlighted the significance of squalene, a natural lipid found in shark liver oil and plant-based oils, which is widely used in cosmetics and vaccines due to its biocompatibility and stability-enhancing properties.
In vaccines, squalene is a key component of adjuvants that enhance immune responses. However, traditional sourcing from shark liver raises ecological concerns, especially with increased demand during pandemics. It was estimated that the squalene required for COVID-19 vaccines could cost the lives of around half a million sharks. To address this, the pharmaceutical industry is moving towards alternatives, particularly plant or fermentation-derived squalene.
Hafiz presents a comparison of squalene sources, including animal-based (shark liver oil), plant-based (amaranth or olive oil), and fermentation-based squalene. The comparison evaluated sustainability, extraction efficiency, and scalability. Fermentation-based squalene was found to be the most sustainable, avoiding issues related to overfishing and extensive agricultural land use. It also demonstrated higher extraction efficiency and scalability, producing high-purity squalene at an industrial scale.
The presentation included a detailed overview of the manufacturing process of non-animal origin squalene, which involves the fermentation of engineered yeast fed with glucose from renewable sources like corn starch. The process ensures a reliable and consistent supply of high-purity squalene, compliant with GMP guidelines and European Pharmacopoeia standards. The non-animal origin squalene showed superior purity and stability compared to shark-based squalene, with a shelf life of at least two years.
Hafiz emphasises the efficacy of non-animal origin squalene as a sustainable alternative to shark-based squalene for vaccine formulations. The presentation underscores the importance of responsible sourcing to meet growing industrial demands while preserving marine biodiversity.