Partnership to protect biodiversity

Squalene – critical for vaccines and for biodiversity 

Squalene is a critical component of many modern vaccine adjuvants, yet its traditional sourcing from liver oil of deep-sea sharks has long posed risks to already vulnerable marine ecosystems. As part of our commitment to become Climate, Nature and People Positive, Croda is enabling pharmaceutical companies to take decisive action to alleviate this pressure on biodiversity. 

Government focus on biodiversity is increasing. Since its establishment in 2012, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has assessed biodiversity and ecosystem services and provided policy-relevant scientific advice. Its Business and Biodiversity Assessment which draws on 5,000+ sources concludes that biodiversity loss is a systemic business risk—disrupting supply chains, weakening infrastructure resilience and undermining long-term market stability—while highlighting the role of innovation, better data and collaboration in enabling nature-positive transformation. 

A strategic partnership 

Croda and Amyris have partnered to produce Sustainably Sourced Squalene using a biotechnology-enabled process and high-performance purification. The result is a completely equivalent, pharmaceutical-grade, high-purity squalene with significantly lower biodiversity impact owing to complete removal of shark dependency in supply chain. 100% non-animal derived, Sustainably Sourced Squalene. 

Life Cycle Analysis  

Supporting data has been generated to demonstrate minimal biodiversity burden shifting, with low land impact from feedstocks and detailed product carbon footprint analysis both of which are shared with business partners for their decision-making processes consistent with IPBES’ call for transformation to protect biodiversity and ecosystems. 

For vaccine formulations, shark-derived squalene has historically been the only readily available source of high-purity pharmaceutical grade. Sustainably Sourced Squalene now provides a viable alternative, enabling companies to transition to solutions that support nature and strengthen the long-term resilience of vaccine manufacturing. 

Award-winning technology 

This progress has been recognised by industry awards. 

Croda Pharma won Best Production/Process Development at the 17th Annual ViE Awards 2024—an industry programme recognising innovation across the biopharma value chain—for delivering a more sustainable alternative to shark-derived squalene at vaccine-grade purity. 

At the Edison Awards, Amyris received a Bronze award for Sustainably Sourced Squalene, recognising its precision fermentation capabilities combined with Croda’s GMP manufacturing and pharmaceutical-market expertise to deliver a reliable, high-performing alternative that supports shark conservation.

Learn more about the award win here