Adjuvant Platform
AAHI pioneers the development and formulation of adjuvants – immunostimulants that enhance immune responses.
Our Adjuvant Platform can make vaccine candidates against infectious disease, cancer, allergies, and other disorders more potent, durable, broadly effective, and accessible to all areas of the world.

Potent and durable immune response:
Breadth of protection:
Accessibility and rapid pandemic response:
Adjuvant Catalogue
Our Adjuvant Formulation Platform has unparalleled diversity and application. AAHI’s robust adjuvant portfolio allows vaccine developers to select an adjuvant formulation that maximizes the impact of their specific vaccine candidate.
TLR Ligands + Alum
What is it?
The adsorption of TLR ligands to Alum, which shifts immune response to Th1 quality.
Where does it come from?
AAHI developed a formulation approach to adsorb lipid-based TLR ligands to Alum.
Unique to AAHI.
AAHI’s formulations of both TLR 4 ligands and TLR 7/8 ligands adsorbed to Alum are tested in humans.
Resources
AAHI takes a formulation approach to enhance adjuvant activity, including antibody and Th1-type cellular immune responses.
(Fox, 2016. J Control Release.)
3M-052-Alum combined with SARS-CoV-2 RBD antigen generated higher neutralizing antibody titers to mutant COVID strains compared with mRNA vaccines.
(Haynes, 2021. Nature.)
Nanoalum
What is it?
NanoAlum consists of nanoparticle rods of aluminum oxyhydroxide
Where does it come from?
AAHI developed NanoAlum using a top-down manufacturing approach starting with commercial Alum (Alhydrogel®)
Unique to AAHI.
NanoAlum enhances Th1-type adjuvant activity compared to Alum, can be sterile-filtered and is stable to freeze-thaw
Resources
NanoAlum elicits an enhanced TH1 immune response from the clinical adjuvant Alhydrogel and may be favorable for vaccines in the fields of tuberculosis, pertussis, and malaria.
(Orr, 2019. NPJ Vaccines.)
Aqueous Nanosuspensions
What is it?
Aqueous nanosuspensions of TLR ligands (e.g. GLA-AF) suitable for intradermal delivery
Unique to AAHI.
The manufacturing process of aqueous nanosuspensions is straightforward and the cost of goods is low.
Resources
A Phase 1 trial of GLA-AF + VLP influenza antigen showed broadened responses to heterologous strains
(Carter, 2018. Science Advances)
TLR 4 Ligands
What is it?
GLA and SLA are synthetic hexa-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A molecules with established safety and activity profile from Phase 1/2 clinical testing
Where does it come from?
GLA and SLA were designed as synthetic analogues to the hexa-acylated component of the naturally derived MPL®
Unique to AAHI.
GLA and SLA are highly pure defined compounds designed for optimal TLR4 receptor binding, enabling substantially lower clinical dose compared to MPL®. In a squalene emulsion, they can also be lyophilized for single vial thermostable presentation or can be spray dried for thermostable nasal dry powder delivery
Resources
GLA-SE enhances malaria antigen-specific antibodies and circulating Tfh in humans
(Hill, 2019. J Exp Med.)
SLA-SE induces Th1 immune responses in mice and humans immunized with a recombinant Leishmania vaccine antigen
(Carter, 2016. Clin Transl Immunology)
TLR 7/8 Ligands
What is it?
3M-052 (TLR7/8) is synthetic lipidated imidazoquinoline
Where does it come from?
Developed by 3M and licensed to AAHI for specific indications
Unique to AAHI.
3M-052 formulations developed by AAHI elicit exceptional response durability with strong Th1 bias in NHPs
Resources
3M-052-SE increases SARS-CoV-2 antibody magnitude and durability in infant non-human primates
(Permar, 2021. Sci Immunol.)
3M-052 formulations combined with an influenza antigen elicit protective efficacy in mouse and ferret challenge models.
(Carter, Fox, 2017. Sci Rep.)
Saponin QS-21
What is it?
QS-21 is a saponin derived from Quillaja Saponaria associated with inflammasome activation
Where does it come from?
Developed by 3M and licensed to AAHI for specific indications
Unique to AAHI.
3M-052 formulations developed by AAHI elicit exceptional response durability with strong Th1 bias in NHPs
Resources
An adjuvanted pregnancy-associated malaria vaccine candidate proved safe and immunogenic in a phase 1 clinical trial.
(Nielsen, 2019. Clin Infect Dis.)
A chromatographic process for p`urifying QS-21 from Quillaja Saponaria bark extract with high purity and yield.
(Qi, 2021. J Chromatogr A.)
Dual Agonist
What is it?
GLA-3M-052-LS is a dual TLR ligand liposome adjuvant
Where does it come from?
GLA-3M-052-LS was developed by AAHI in collaboration with 3M and the University of Virginia using an amebiasis vaccine candidate as a proof-of-concept.
Unique to AAHI.
This dual agonist develops a strong mucosal immune response as well as a Th1 type systemic response.
Resources
An adjuvanted-protein COVID-19 vaccine candidate induced neutralizing antibodies in mice and protected from lethal challenge.
(Petri, 2021. Nature)
Intranasal administration of dual-agonist adjuvanted amebiasis vaccine candidate elicits robust mucosal and systemic protective immune response in mice
(Fox, 2018. NPJ Vaccines)
Find out how our adjuvant platform will revolutionize the vaccine industry worldwide.
Services
We provide custom solutions that can enhance vaccines with next generation features and functionality, creating unique products capable of addressing pressing global health needs.
- Research Material Supply
- Our formulations team can evaluate any AAHI adjuvant formulations with your vaccine antigen in preclinical studies.
- Custom Formulations
- Our formulations team can formulate your novel small molecule immunostimulator, or customize adjuvant formulations for optimal compatibility with your specific antigen.
- Compatibility Studies
- Our formulations team can perform a variety of assays testing the mixing compatibility of AAHI adjuvants mixed with your antigen of choice.
- In Vitro Bioactivity
- Our formulations team can determine if the adjuvant formulation or immunomodulatory compound of interest has innate immune stimulation properties on human cells.
Other Services
Consulting
AAHI provides consulting services for preclinical study development with the ability to get you directly into clinic and supply for your clinical trials with regulatory support.

Contact us to test AAHI adjuvant formulations with your vaccine antigen to develop a potent, durable, and broadly effective vaccine.