Cutting-edge technologies are the driving force behind our research and vaccine development.
Our innovative vaccine technology platform – AdVac® – offers hope to accelerate the development of vaccines and is designed to support the global health community better prepare for and combat life-threatening infectious diseases.
This technology was used in the development of our Ebola vaccine regimen, which was approved by the European Commission in July 2020 and received World Health Organization Prequalification in 2021. The AdVac® technology was also used to construct our investigational RSV and Zika vaccine candidates.
Janssen's COVID-19 vaccine program is using Janssen's AdVac® technology.
Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that cause the common cold - so they can enter human cells.
Janssen’s AdVac® vectors are based on a specific type of adenovirus, that has been genetically modified so that it can no longer replicate in humans and cause disease.
| The AdVac® technology works by using an adenovirus as a vector (a carrier) of an antigen's genetic code, to mimic the pathogen (a bacterium, virus, or other disease-causing organism) or a piece of the pathogen. |  |
| When the body encounters the antigen, it will induce an immune response against the antigen by producing immune cells and antibodies. |  |
| In the future, if the body encounters the actual pathogen, it will be able to respond by producing immune cells and antibodies specific to the pathogen to prevent the pathogen from inducing disease. |  |