Cambrex's daughter company Snapdragon Chemistry has developed a novel liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS) technology.
The peptide manufacturing solution uses traditional API batch reactors and continuous flow, which removes the need for companies to depend on specialised, solid-phase reactors.
It also reduces the demand for solvents and excess reagents in the peptide manufacturing process when compared to standard protocols for solid-state peptide synthesis.
Cambrex's LPPS technology is suitable for the synthesis of peptides up to 12 residues long — with larger peptides being assembles in liquid phase via convergent fragment coupling.
According to the company, the technology can be scales in the same way as traditional small molecules.
The Chief Scientific Officer of Cambrex, Dr Matt Bio, commented: “Over the past several years, we have made significant investments in the research and development of complex synthetics, specifically to reduce the economic and environmental impacts of manufacturing peptides and oligonucleotides,”
“Our new LPPS technology provides a significantly more cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable solution when compared to traditional solid-phase peptide synthesis, substantially reducing solvent usage and allowing the substitution of sustainable solvents.”
Peptide and protein crystallisation
As well as its LPPS capabilities, Cambrex has introduced some unique peptide and protein crystallisation capabilities, which includes a screening platform designed for the discovey of crystalline forms of various peptides and proteins.
According to Cambrex, crystallisation can deliver enhanced product stability, while reducing the need for preparative chromatography and lyophilisation.
“With the clinical and commercial successes of peptide-based therapies, it’s imperative that we provide industry-leading solutions to develop and scale peptide candidates,” said Thomas Loewald, CEO at Cambrex.
The company will continue to invest in R&D across the synthetic realm — including further technology development for peptides, as well as new research on the application of AI for oligonucleotide manufacturing optimisation.
[Image credit: Snapdragon Chemistry, a Cambrex company]
