Expanding the range of peptides that can feasibly be produced and scaled up allows researchers to investigate new, more complex peptides, potentially enabling pharma to expand pipelines.
Furthermore, AjiPhase can be easily scaled up, removing the need to transition between solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and liquid phase peptide synthesis (LPPS).
The shortcomings of SPPS and LPPS necessitate this transition and eliminating it can save development time and make revalidation of the impurity profile unnecessary, according to the company.
Ajinomoto claims the methodology, AjiPhase, can easily be scaled-up, unlike SPPS, and is applying it to good manufacturing practice (GMP) production from grams to hundreds of kilograms.
The company is also using AjiPhase to provide process development services. Using AjiPhase Ajinomoto claims it can develop a cGMP manufacturing process much quicker than is achievable using standard LPPS.
AjiPhase process
Like SPPS, AjiPhase allows for the efficient removal of un-reacted agents and this is combined with the convergent synthesis ability of LPPS to create a quick, low cost method of producing complex peptides, according to Ajinomoto.
This has been achieved by advancing LPPS through the use of patented anchors, deprotection and scavenger agents. Using these elements Ajinomoto claims to have eliminated isolation, crystallisation and purification steps between couplings.
Furthermore, the crude peptide produced by AjiPhase is of a higher purity, according to Ajinomoto, and this reduces the purification required. Making this improvement reduces development times and generates a greater peptide yield.