PeptiSystems, a Swedish biotech company specializing in innovative manufacturing solutions for peptide and oligonucleotide drugs, has entered into an exclusive global partnership with Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America (AKBA), a leading provider of advanced bioprocessing equipment solutions. The strategic collaboration aims to transform peptide manufacturing by integrating AKBA's high-performance column technology with PeptiSystems' flow-through instrument platform.
Under the agreement, PeptiSystems will incorporate AKBA's THESYS® ACS Ergo synthesis column—originally developed for large-scale oligonucleotide manufacturing—into its large-scale peptide synthesis platform, the PeptiPro®. This integration creates a complete, ready-to-use solution that promises to significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of peptide production processes.
Advancing Peptide Manufacturing Technology
The partnership addresses key challenges in peptide manufacturing by combining complementary technologies. PeptiSystems' proprietary flow-through, column-based technology optimizes synthesis efficiency and reduces material waste, while AKBA's column expertise ensures high performance and scalability.
"By integrating a proven and high-quality column into our platform, we can offer a complete, ready-to-use solution that helps customers accelerate development and reduce risk," said Karin Granath, CEO of PeptiSystems. "It's a strategic step that strengthens our offering and supports future growth in both research and manufacturing applications."
The integrated solution enables shorter changeover times between batches while maintaining user safety and product quality—critical factors in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The technology is designed to meet the highest standards of quality and reproducibility, supporting the growing demand for complex peptide and oligonucleotide therapeutics.
Global Impact on TIDES Market
The collaboration will extend globally across all relevant markets, including drug manufacturing and contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs). Both companies view the partnership as a natural progression in their efforts to advance the TIDES (Therapeutic Oligonucleotides and Peptides) market.
Chris Rombach, President of Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America, emphasized the strategic alignment: "We see this partnership as a natural step in bringing next-generation peptide solutions to the TIDES market. By combining our column expertise with PeptiSystems' innovative synthesis platform, we're enabling customers to access a complete, integrated solution."
The partnership comes at a time when the peptide therapeutics market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing applications in various disease areas and advancements in peptide synthesis technologies.
Technical Advantages and Efficiency Gains
The combined technology offers several technical advantages over conventional peptide synthesis methods. PeptiSystems' flow-through approach significantly reduces production times compared to traditional batch processes. The system enhances synthesis control and minimizes raw material consumption while maintaining high purity and yield.
AKBA's THESYS® ACS Ergo design, unveiled in 2024, offers drastically reduced changeover time between batches without compromising user safety and product quality. This is particularly valuable for pharmaceutical manufacturers who need to produce multiple peptide batches efficiently.
The scalability of the integrated platform is another key benefit, allowing seamless adaptation from small-scale development to large-scale production. This flexibility enables pharmaceutical companies and CDMOs to meet varying production demands without significant process modifications.
Sustainability and Economic Benefits
Beyond technical improvements, the partnership addresses sustainability concerns in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The flow-through technology reduces solvent usage and waste generation compared to traditional methods, aligning with industry efforts to develop more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.
The economic benefits are equally significant. Reduced production times and material consumption translate to lower manufacturing costs, while enhanced reproducibility minimizes batch failures and associated expenses. These improvements are particularly valuable for the production of complex peptide therapeutics, which often involve challenging synthesis steps and costly raw materials.
As the pharmaceutical industry continues to explore peptide-based therapies for various diseases, manufacturing technologies that enable efficient, high-quality production will play a crucial role in bringing these treatments to patients. The PeptiSystems-AKBA partnership represents a significant step forward in this direction, potentially accelerating the development and commercialization of novel peptide therapeutics.
