PolyTherics receives £100k grant to develop
novel fusion proteins
14 April 2010
PolyTherics Limited, London-based innovators in precision
engineering of proteins, has started work on
a UK Technology Strategy Board (TSB) funded project to produce fusion
proteins using its chemical linker technologies.
The TSB is
providing over £100,000 to support the six-month project.
PolyTherics will chemically fuse different but complementary
proteins using its proprietary polyethylene glycol (PEG) linkers.
The goal of the project is to develop a way of fusing proteins that
is both quicker and cheaper than producing a fusion protein using
recombinant techniques whilst retaining the different functions of
both proteins.
The technology will allow for rapid generation of a range of
new fusion proteins for screening for a range of uses in a variety
of industries, including as potential therapeutic products.
As PolyTherics’ PEGylation technologies enable the PEG to be
attached to a specific site on a protein, either on the histidine
residues added to facilitate its purification, or at a naturally
occurring disulfide, the effect of the PEG on the function of the
protein can be minimized.
In addition, PEG is known to protect
proteins from breakdown by proteases and thus improve their
stability, a potential advantage over recombinant fusion proteins.
Dr Keith Powell, Chief Executive Officer, commented “We are
delighted to have received this additional support from the TSB to
expand use of our technologies into a broader field of application”.