From Forest to Factory: Tracing the Supply Chains for Two Modern Adjuvants of Global Health Importance — QS-21 and MPL provides a first-of-its-kind analysis of the global supply chains of two key adjuvants used in several of the world’s most important vaccines.

QS-21 and MPL are part of licensed vaccines against malaria, shingles, and respiratory syncytial virus, and in a promising candidate vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) called M72/AS01E.

The report opens in the forests of central Chile, where QS-21 is extracted from the harvested soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria), also known by its local name, quillay. From there, the report paints a detailed picture of QS-21 supply drawing on information from the scientific literature, industry records (e.g., U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings), materials published by relevant companies and organizations, news items, and Chilean government databases, including newly public data on exports of quillay products provided by the Chilean Forestry Institute. A shorter analysis is presented for MPL.

Within the report, readers will find:

• Profiles of the different companies operating in the market and those developing alternative sources of quillay saponins, which do not rely on harvesting woodland trees;
• Descriptions of the relevant adjuvant systems that contain QS-21 and MPL;
• An estimate of the total global supply and demand for quillay saponins and MPL;
• An overview of the pipeline for vaccines containing QS-21 and MPL; and
• Discussion of whether legal frameworks covering genetic resources and traditional knowledge may apply to quillay saponins and access and bene­fit sharing.

The report concludes with recommendations on how supply chains for adjuvants can be strengthened through greater transparency, competition, and sustainability with the goal of maximizing the global health impact of adjuvant development for equitable access to vaccines.