Solutia PSD launches peptide chemistry centre of excellence

Drug development services provider Solutia Pharmaceutical Services Division (Solutia PSD) has launched its newest centre of excellence: peptide chemistry.

Through the application of its innovative technology, Continuous Flow Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (CFSPPS), it will enhance the process of producing large peptides at quantities intended for clinical and in-market use (up to 100kg).

CFSPPS technology improves the efficiency with which peptides can be synthesised by removing many of the usual issues associated with classical solid-phase methods. 'With solid-phase synthetic methods alone, we were able to produce peptides up to only eight mer. The addition of the CFSPPS process enables the production of peptides up to a size of 50 mer,' said Dr Tom Waldman, director of pr&d and project management for Solutia PSD. 'In one case we were able to reduce production time for 1kg of Calci-tonin (a 32 mer peptide) from eight months to only six weeks. Naturally, that time saving yields a tremendous cost savings.'

The company will focus on the delivery of peptide chemistry at its manufacturing site located in Hunzenschwil in Switzerland, where its chemists will specialise in a comprehensive range of peptides including natural, unnatural, cyclo, pseudo and modified peptides.

'Solutia PSD is always dedicated to reducing the time, cost and risks associated with drug development. Now, we will be able to apply this commitment to the production of peptides,' added Waldman. 'In addition to classical synthetic methods, our CFSPPS technology will be central to the service by enabling a greatly improved production process that will advance current industry practices.'

Solutia PSD's centres of excellence currently include: fast-track synthesis, chromatography services, analytical services, highly potent API supply and peptide chemistry.