Bachem and GlyTech Nominated for Innovation Award at CPhl Worldwide Forum

Bubendorf, Switzerland: –Independent specialist in peptide manufacturing and development Bachem – together with its project partner GlyTech – has been named as a finalist in the CPhl Pharma Awards to be presented on the first evening of the 2013 CPhI Worldwide Conference, on October 22 at Messe Frankfurt.

Bachem and GlyTech have been shortlisted for the Innovation in Process Development category for their pioneering work in developing a scalable chemical synthesis of Interferon β-1a.

“We are delighted that the CPhl judges have recognised the quality and innovation of our collaboration in this important area,” said Dr.Martina Diekmann, Bachem Group’s Head of Global Marketing.

She paid tribute to Bachem’s collaboration partner, GlyTech, the only company to manufacture human type glycans in kilogram scale.

Collaborations
“We have been very fortunate in our choice of development partner,” said Dr. Diekmann. “The collaboration has worked very well and we could not have achieved this breakthrough without GlyTech’s expertise.”

Interferon β-1a is a 166 amino acid long glycosylated protein and an approved drug substance to treat multiple sclerosis with a world market of more than $4 billion. There are currently three recombinant products on the market which are a mixture of at least 10 glycoforms.

Bachem and GlyTech’s pioneering breakthrough is to prove a successful chemical synthesis of this protein featuring just one specific glycosylation. First bioactivity studies demonstrated that the newly synthesised Interferon β-1a is as good as or better than the conventional recombinant product.

Both organisations with their outstanding knowledge in peptide and carbohydrate chemistry are now seeking collaboration with a pharma or biotech company interested in conducting industrial scale development of Interferon β-1a through to market approval.

“The study is a proof of concept that selective glycosylation enables us to develop optimized peptides and proteins” said Dr. Diekmann. “The capability to synthesize tailored products is opening the way for new and existing drugs with enhanced efficacy and we see the strength in this emerging field of drug development in the potential realization of bio-betters.”

Bachem is looking forward to meeting potential partners interested in improving their pipeline by selected glycosylation by using the CPhI Global Meetings programme.

Exhibitor
Bachem will be present at Stand 51C02 at the CPhl Worldwide Exhibition, where the company showcases its generics product portfolio and Bachem`s services in custom manufacturing, peptidic and small molecule APIs and Clinalfa (fill and finish) for use in clinical studies.

Dr. Diekmann said CPhl Worldwide had become a very important event for Bachem.

“We have attended this event every year for the last 15 years or so,” she said. “CPhl is the place we like to come to meet our existing and potential new customers, discuss ongoing and specific projects and use the extensive networking opportunities.

Bachem will be present with a conference team of 20 people, representing all the key parts of the company, including senior management, scientific experts from production and sales and business development.

“We want to ensure that our customers can discuss projects face to face with our experts,” said Dr. Diekmann.

Bachem is inviting potential collaborators to contact the company directly or via the CPhI Worldwide system, which is already open.

About Bachem

Bachem is a listed technology-based company focused on peptide chemistry. The company provides a full range of services to the pharma and biotech industries.

It specializes in the development of innovative, efficient manufacturing processes and the reliable production of peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients. A comprehensive catalog of biochemicals and exclusive custom syntheses for research labs complete the service portfolio.

Headquartered in Switzerland with subsidiaries in Europe and the US, the group has a global reach with more experience and know-how than any other company in the industry. Towards its customers, Bachem shows total commitment to quality, innovation and partnership.

Bachem. Pioneering Partner for Peptides

About GlyTech

GlyTech is an independent, technology-based, private company founded in 2012 in Kyoto, Japan. GlyTech is the only company to manufacture human type glycans in kilogram scale and to develop unique glycopeptides and glycoproteins as innovative biochemicals.

About CPhl Worldwide

CPhI Worldwide is the flagship annual trade show for pharma ingredients and partner sourcing providing delegates and exhibitors opportunities to arrange face-to-face meetings with potential international pharmaceutical partners and collaborators, as well as gain insights on latest industry trends.It is staged by UBM Live, the leading Global B2B Events Organizers and Publishers.

Now in its 24th year, the 2013 event is being held from October 22-24 at Messe Frankfurt and will host more than 30,000 delegates from 140 countries along with 2,200 exhibitor companies.

The CPHl Worldwide show is being held alongside three other zoned exhibitions; ICSE Outsourcing solutions, P-MEC Machinery and Equipment and InnoPack pharmaceutical packaging events.

The Pre-Connect Conference on October 21 comprises six modules on current industry ‘hot topics’ and offers themed networking opportunities.

The CPhI Pharma Awards, presented on the first evening of the conference, honour companies that have broken new ground in three different fields: formulation, process development and packaging.

The five judges of the Innovation in Process Development Award for 2013 are: Dr. Hendrik Baumann (Arevipharma GmbH), Dr. Michael Platscher (Merck & Cie.), Dr. Hans-Leonhard Ohrem (Merck Millipore), Dr. Didier Bensoussan (AMRI) and Ms. Agnes Shanley (Pharma Evolution).

The awards ceremony begins at 17:30 hrs on Tuesday 22 October 2013 in the Europa Room at Messe Frankfurt.

For more information about Bachem attending CPhI, please contact Bachem directly.

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