Before we sign off for the holiday break and ramp up for an even bigger 2021 impact, we’d like to leave you with an update. Since we last spoke in November, frontline workers around the world are receiving the very first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Pfizer. This vaccine does NOT contain shark-derived squalene, or any squalene for that matter. Pfizer’s vaccine uses mRNA technology, not adjuvanted technology. Despite this hopeful news, our work to make vaccines shark free is not done. Multiple vaccines in development still contain shark-derived squalene. Vaccines of this kind just take a while longer to be tested and finalized. To stay up to date, please visit this blog. 

Over the last month, we have continued to build the movement towards sustainable alternatives via coordinating efforts with fellow organizations, experts and private companies. To add fuel to the fire, we were presented with a new study titled, Synthetic Biology-derived triterpenes as efficacious immunomodulating adjuvants. This paper compares the vaccine efficacy of yeast-derived squalene to the well-known shark-derived adjuvant, MF59, which is used in some of current COVID-19 vaccines in development. The results of this study conclude that yeast-derived squalene exhibits equivalent physiochemical properties to the current standards (MF59: shark squalene), with no reactogenic effects, and even match the immunological profiles of current shark-derived adjuvants! The scientists at Enepret even go on to say that, “the key component of the MF59 adjuvant, squalene, harvested from shark liver oil is not a desirable source. In addition to ethical and sustainability issues, there is growing concern for the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of persistent organic pollutants (such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in shark-derived squalene.” If you're interested to dig a bit deeper on the topic, please visit this link.

As the work continues, so does coverage of this issue in the press. National Geographic dove into the squalene issue, uncovering not only the threats sharks face with continued vaccine development, but also a wholistic view and history of the squalene industry. Shark Allies’ Executive Director, Stefanie Brendl, penned an article for UAE's Divers for the Environment magazine on the even bigger issue at hand, viewing sharks as nothing more than a collection of parts that we can turn into products. Our Allies at SharkProject are also getting the issue in front of many eyes in Europe, appearing on Café Puls. To round out recent #SharkFreeVaccine coverage is a comprehensive piece in Chemical and Engineering News. We hope you all stay safe and healthy over the holidays, see you in 2021!