Although many vaccines in use today are composed of attenuated whole pathogens, there are many such as Hepatitis B and Haemophilis influenzae type b vaccines that contain only components found on the surfaces of these pathogens. It is well-known that within the surface components of most disease causing pathogens there are small molecule neutralizing epitopes. By using small molecules as a vaccine component, vaccines will be safer, more stable and less expensive than current vaccines.

AriaVax immunogens are small molecules that are covalently conjugated to nanoparticles. Covalent nanoparticle conjugation of a small molecule acts to retard the removal of the small molecule from mucosae and thus may slow its degradation. This allows the small molecule conjugate more time to be recognized by the body as a foreign object in need of immune system mediated removal from the body.