Provepep synthesizes bioactive homodimer form of IL-10 using SEA peptide ligation technology

Oct 7 2015

Provepep’s unique native ligation SEA technology used in chemical synthesis of long peptides and proteins

Provepep, the peptide business unit of Provence Technologies Group, a specialist fine chemistry research group, today announces that it has successfully synthesized tens of mg of bioactive homodimer form of IL-10. Provepep is one of the two laboratories worldwide able to chemically synthesize therapeutic proteins and the only one using the SEA Technology.

Provepep performed a solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) using its proprietary SEA peptide ligation technology. Building upon the synthesis of different parts, SEA allows easy ligation of the complete sequence. The resulting monomer of 160 mer contains two disulfide bridges.

This chemical synthesis, which is performed under Good Manufacturing Practice conditions, offers high-yield and high purity products. The process is easily reproducible. Provepep holds an exclusive licence from CNRS for SEA, a new and patented technology that reduces production costs by up to 40%.

The SEA peptide ligation technique is an alternative to recombinant technologies that usually come with viral safety and contamination problems. It is also able to create proteins bearing non-natural amino-acids, something living organisms cannot do.

“We managed to overcome major technological issues to allow the chemical synthesis and to achieve high activity for this Interleukin,” said Jean-Pierre Salles, CSO of Provepep. “After successfully finding a new synthetic pathway to purify Methylene Blue, we have proven yet again our technological know-how in chemical synthesis for long peptides and proteins.”

This achievement paves the way for new generations of more affordable biological therapies, such as modified proteins. With this technology, Provepep targets pharmaceutical companies working on therapeutic proteins, fusion proteins and polyepitope vaccine projects.

“Once more, our technology allowed us to produce through chemical synthesis a protein that is cheaper and purer than products stemming from recombinants technologies,” said Michel Feraud, CEO of Provence Technologies Group. “This new chemical synthesis should offer as many uses as recombinant technologies and facilitate the use of new biological therapies in immuno-regulation and inflammation. It also proves that Provepep is a natural leader in the market for chemical production of long peptides and proteins.”