Vaccines are composed of one or more antigens and may contain one or more adjuvants in an appropriate formulation. The function of adjuvants is to enhance immune recognition of the antigens and increase the ability of the immune system to make antigen-specific antibodies. TLR agonists induce immune responses that may be appropriate for use as adjuvants in vaccines.

Idera’s chemistry-based approach in creating TLR-targeted compounds enables the company to make numerous novel compounds which act as agonists for TLRs 7, 8, or 9.

In 2006, Idera entered into a research collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc. and granted Merck a worldwide, exclusive license to develop and commercialize Idera’s TLR7, 8, and 9 agonists by incorporating them into therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines being developed by Merck for oncology, infectious diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease.

As part of the agreement, the two companies engaged in a two-year research collaboration to generate novel agonists targeting TLR7 and TLR8 incorporating both Merck and Idera chemistry for use in the licensed fields. In November 2008, Idera announced that Merck extended its research collaboration with Idera for an additional year. About the collaboration.