Snapdragon Chemistry Unveils New Liquid-Phase Peptide Synthesis Technology

• Snapdragon Chemistry, a Cambrex company, has developed a new liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS) technology, reducing solvent use and reagent dependency in peptide manufacturing.

• The new technology supports peptides up to 12 residues long, with larger peptides assembled using fragment coupling.

Snapdragon Chemistry, a Cambrex company, has developed a new liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS) technology that offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly solution for peptide manufacturing. The technology leverages traditional batch reactors and continuous flow systems, cutting down solvent use and excess reagents typically needed in solid-phase synthesis processes.

The LPPS technology, designed for peptides up to 12 residues in length, allows larger peptides to be assembled using a convergent fragment coupling approach. This process offers a cost-efficient alternative to traditional methods, supporting scalability akin to small molecule synthesis.

Dr. Matt Bio, chief scientific officer at Cambrex, highlighted the company’s focus on reducing the economic and environmental impact of peptide manufacturing. “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,” said Dr. Bio.

Alongside the LPPS technology, Cambrex has developed capabilities in peptide and protein crystallization, providing a screening platform to discover crystalline forms of peptides and proteins. This approach aims to improve product quality and stability, while reducing reliance on preparative chromatography and lyophilization processes.

The company plans to continue investing in research and development across complex synthetic modalities, with further exploration into AI applications for optimizing oligonucleotide processes. CEO Thomas Loewald remarked on the importance of advancing peptide-based therapies to meet industry demands.