JSR, PeptiDream Partner on Development Program for Affinity Chromatography

JSR, a technology-focused materials supplier in Tokyo, Japan, announced that its JSR Life Sciences division is beginning a joint development program with PeptiDream, a Tokyo-based biopharmaceutical company, to identify peptides applicable to the affinity chromatography process used in the purification of biopharmaceuticals.

The development program will focus on ensuring consistent quality and mass production of ligands based on unique peptides that will enhance purification efficiency, thus enabling the purification of difficult-to-purify biopharmaceuticals, according to a Sept. 20, 2019 press release. The program will be based off of PeptiDream’s proprietary drug discovery platform, Peptide Discovery Platform System (PDPS), and JSR’s knowledge of affinity separation technology.

“PeptiDream is focused on expanding the applications of constrained peptides identified from our PDPS platform, including drug candidate identification, development of peptide therapeutics, small molecule therapeutics through X-ray crystallography analysis, and peptide-drug conjugates, such as peptides capable of penetrating the [b]rain-[b]lood-[b]Barrier,” said Dr. Keiichi Masuya, director and executive vice-president of PeptiDream, in the press release. “We are very excited to start the development of a new affinity chromatography ligand jointly with JSR, and, together, contribute to the research, development, and production of antibody therapeutics and other modalities.”

“At JSR Life Sciences, we’re focused on finding innovative partners and technologies to advance drug discovery and efficacy to improve the quality of life for patients,” added Tim Lowery, officer and president of JSR Life Sciences, in the press release. “PeptiDream’s platform will enable us to develop the advanced materials, specifically next generation chromatography resins, needed to produce the biopharmaceuticals and therapies of the future.”

Source: JSR Life Sciences