3M Co. owned 3M Drug Delivery Systems announced recently that they have signed an agreement with VaxInnate Corporation regarding the licensing of toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, a patented 3M product, to be used as vaccine adjuvants.

According to the agreement, VaxInnate will acquire the right to use 3M’s TLR agonists. This may potentially allow VaxInnate to produce vaccines that can offer patients with faster and more efficient protection from diseases. Studies conducted on 3M’s TLR agonists have shown that the product may have the ability to enhance the potency of many vaccines.

According to 3M Drug Delivery Systems Vaccine Business Development Director D. Mark Tomai, PhD, “Pairing our TLR agonists with VaxInnate’s innovative vaccine technology has the potential for increasing the effectiveness of vaccines.”

The non-exclusive agreement will allow VaxInnate to use 3M’s technology while 3M will receive an undisclosed amount as well as royalty payments and milestone payments.

According to VaxInnate Chief Executive Officer Alan Shaw PhD, “The combination of VaxInnate’s proprietary vaccine technology with 3M’s TLR agonists could improve vaccine potency and make a major contribution to global public health.” Shaw added further that “We look forward to this collaboration with 3M.”

About 3M Co.: 3M Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a diversified technology company worldwide. It operates in six segments: Industrial and Transportation; Health Care; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Consumer and Office; Display and Graphics; and Electro and Communications.

The company was formerly known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. 3M Company was founded in 1902 and is based in St. Paul, Minnesota.