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Matrix-M® Adjuvant

Matrix-M® Adjuvant

Enhancing Immune Response

What is Matrix-M?

Matrix-M is Novavax’s proprietary adjuvant, used in vaccines and vaccine candidates for a variety of diseases to help tackle some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.1

Matrix-M adjuvant contains Quillaja saponins, a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds, sustainably harvested and purified from the bark of the soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria Molina).1

What is an Adjuvant?

An adjuvant is a substance that helps induce a stronger, longer-lasting and broad immune response when added to a vaccine in order to enhance effectiveness.1

How Matrix-M Engages the Immune System

Matrix-M enhances the body's immune response in a targeted and efficient way significantly improving both the magnitude and duration of immune response.1

Stimulation of Innate Immunity

Matrix-M activates the body’s first line of defense, the innate immune system, to amplify the immune response.1

Boosts Long-lasting, Adaptive Immunity

By enhancing recognition of antigens, Matrix-M triggers an immune response by T-cells – which kill infected cells and help activate other immune cells, such as B-cells, which produce antibodies. Memory B-cells and T-cells help the immune system “remember” what is foreign and help protect against future infections.1

Current Matrix-M Applications 
and Collaborations

Matrix-M is clinically proven and is a key component in two marketed vaccines:

Nuvaxovid™ (COVID-19 Vaccine), commercialized by Sanofi, which also utilizes our recombinant, protein-based nanoparticle technology2.

The R21/Matrix-M Malaria Vaccine, created by the Jenner Institute of Oxford University and manufactured and distributed by Serum Institute of India.3

Key Attributes of Matrix-M

Benefits of Novavax’s proprietary Matrix-M adjuvant include:

Optimal Adjuvant Profile

Favorable efficacy, safety and tolerability profile in clinical trials1

Ability to Increase Antibody Titers

Significantly increases antibody titers for both viral and bacterial antigens

Antigen Sparing

Reduces the cost of production because less antigen is needed for manufacture of finished products4

Broad Applicability

Potential to be used across a wide range of diseases and vaccine platforms

Overcoming Poor Immunogenicity

Potentially enables new vaccines to be developed for bacteria and viruses that have been historically challenging due to poor immunogenicity  

Non-aluminum

Saponin-based versus traditional aluminum-based​

Applying Matrix Technology to Oncology

Novavax is currently exploring research partnerships and collaboration in oncology vaccines and immuno-therapeutics. These collaborations have the potential to address oncology targets such as colorectal, pancreatic and head and neck cancers. We envision exciting potential opportunities for our proprietary adjuvant technology in this rapidly-developing field, by helping to improve the quality and magnitude of anti-tumor response.

Amplifying Innovation

Matrix-M, when combined with our recombinant, protein-based nanoparticles, provides the technology platform upon which all candidates in our diverse vaccine pipeline are being developed.

Learn more about our cutting-edge research and ongoing partnerships to help solve the world’s most pressing health challenges here:

View our pipeline
View our partners
  1. Stertman L. et al.; The Matrix-M™ adjuvant: A critical component of vaccines for the 21st century. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023 Dec 31;19(1):2189885. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2189885.
  2. Keech C. et al.; Phase 1-2 trial of a SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein nanoparticle vaccine. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020 Dec 10;383(24):2320-2332. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2026920.
  3. WHO recommends R21/Matrix-M vaccine for malaria prevention in updated advice on immunization. News release. World Health Organization. Oct 2, 2023. Accessed Apr 15, 2025. https://www.who.int/news/item/02-10-2023-who-recommends-r21-matrix-m-vaccine-for-malaria-prevention-in-updated-advice-on-immunization
  4. Reed, S., Orr, M. & Fox, C. Key roles of adjuvants in modern vaccines. Nat Med 19, 1597–1608 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.3409