Worldwide CRO Almac and European CRO VTU Technology have formed a collaboration to offer joint services for the expression of recombinant proteins with site-specific modification and labelling, such as PEGylation for half-life extension of proteins.

The alliance provides several benefits to biopharmaceutical companies seeking fast-track protein expression and process development and subsequent site-specific protein modification. This integrated service platform combines two proven and unique technologies: VTU Technology’s high-expression Pichia technology and speed in expression strain and process development along with Almac’s expertise in peptide and protein engineering techniques for the improvement of drug products. This collaboration offers customers an integrated approach with a smooth technology transfer throughout all phases.

VTU Technology, a supplier of technologies and services for the development of high yielding, high-performance Pichia pastoris protein expression strains and processes, and Almac have recently completed a case study to prove the applicability of Almac’s site-specific PEGylation technology to proteins (single domain antibodies) produced through secreted expression from Pichia pastoris. The study clearly demonstrates the advantageous combination of a powerful eukaryotic expression system with a versatile approach for site-specific C-terminal protein modification and is applicable to a wide variety of modifications including attachment of polymers such as PEG, small molecule labels and synthetic peptides.

Almac has previously developed technology for site-specific C-terminal modification of recombinant proteins. The technology can be applied to the generation of PEGylated proteins for half life extension, labelled proteins for PET and SPECT imaging, engineered and bispecific proteins and protein drug conjugates. Currently available protein labelling technologies produce products which are labelled at multiple sites in an uncontrolled manner. This results in a heterogeneous population of labelled molecules resulting in a net decrease in potency compared to the unlabelled analogue. The Almac approach allows the specific labelling site to be selected and controlled and generates a homogeneous labelled product in good yield with retained biological activity.

VTU Technology and Almac will be exhibiting at the BIO 2012 International Convention in Boston and will be available to provide more information on intein-fusion protein expression and site-specific protein modification at booths 3265 and 1422 respectively.