SqualVax is an oil-in-water emulsion made of squalene droplets in a continuous aqueous phase. It is an important advantage over alternative oils that have been used in emulsion adjuvants, like Freund’s adjuvant that contains mineral oil (paraffin oil) and has long term persistence in organisms.

Squalene emulsion induces local stimulation and recruitment of DCs and granulocytes, differentiation of monocytes into DCs and increased uptake of antigen by DCs. The emulsion acts more specifically on macrophages present at the site of injection. This formulation enhances differentiation of monocytes towards a mature phenotype, thereby promoting migration of antigen-loaded cells to the draining lymph node.