Q-VANT Biosciences Supports $1.65M Gates Foundation–Funded Program Led by Tulane University to Advance Next-Generation Oral Polio Vaccine
Q-VANT Biosciences (“Q-VANT”), a biotechnology company developing sustainably sourced, saponin-based adjuvants, today announced its participation in a Gates Foundation–funded initiative to accelerate development of a next-generation oral polio vaccine. The program, led by Tulane University, is supported by approximately $1.65 million in funding and brings together complementary technologies to address one of global health’s most persistent challenges.
The project combines Tulane’s dmLT adjuvant with QS-Oral®, Q-VANT’s proprietary oral saponin-based adjuvant, in a novel synergistic delivery approach designed to enable effective, non-live oral polio vaccination.
“We’re excited to contribute to this important effort and to support a trailblazing approach to vaccine development using our innovative, sustainably sourced saponin-based adjuvants,” said Juan José Albarrán, CEO of Q-VANT Biosciences.
The Gates Foundation–supported initiative focuses on developing a non-live oral polio vaccine capable of inducing strong mucosal immunity in the gut. By targeting gut-associated lymphoid tissue, the approach aims to reduce viral shedding and limit community transmission which are key barriers to global polio eradication.
Needle-free vaccines, including oral formulations, are increasingly recognized as strategically critical. They not only stimulate mucosal immunity, the body’s first line of defense against pathogens entering through mucosal surfaces but also reduce reliance on syringes and trained healthcare personnel, improving accessibility in low-resource settings.
This effort underscores a broader reality: oral vaccine development remains one of the most impactful yet technically challenging frontiers in global health. Effective oral immunization requires an integrated approach to antigen stabilization, gastrointestinal protection, delivery, and immune activation. Q-VANT’s oral saponin-based adjuvants are designed to protect vaccine components through the digestive tract and facilitate targeted immune responses at mucosal sites.
Q-VANT is actively seeking partners to explore how oral delivery and mucosal immunity can unlock new opportunities in vaccine development and public health.
Invitation to Connect at WVC in Washington, D.C.
Q-VANT will be attending WVC in Washington, D.C., in March and welcomes meetings with vaccine developers, global health organizations, and potential partners interested in differentiated oral adjuvant and formulation strategies. Interested parties are encouraged to connect to explore collaboration opportunities in oral and needle-free vaccine development.
About Q-VANT Biosciences
Q-VANT Biosciences is a biotechnology company advancing sustainably sourced, saponin-based vaccine adjuvants and oral delivery technologies to enable next-generation immunization strategies.
More information: https://news.tulane.edu/news/tulane-researcher-awarded-16-million-grant-advance-oral-polio-vaccine
