What is squalene and why is it contained in the adjuvant?
Squalene is a naturally occurring substance found in plants, animals and humans. It is synthesized in the liver and circulates in the human bloodstream. Squalene is also sometimes used as a component of some adjuvants that enhance the immune response. It is also found in a variety of foods, cosmetics, over-the-counter medications and health supplements. GSK has already produced a significant body of clinical safety data for pre-pandemic and pandemic H5N1 / AS03 vaccines. Over 12,000 adults above 18 years of age have been given a 2-dose course of the H5N1 pandemic vaccine. In total, over 39,000 people in clinical trials have demonstrated that our proprietary Adjuvant System AS03 used in influenza vaccines has an acceptable safety and reactogenicity profile. Pandemrix Pandemic Influenza vaccine (H1N1)v (GSK’s pandemic (H1N1)v vaccine) is being assessed in 16 clinical studies in healthy adults, the elderly and children (including infants) to determine the likely benefit and risk of the va
