MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH) had the honor of welcoming presentations from leading scientists from two major biopharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Sanofi, at the WCBP conference held in Washington D.C. The focus of these presentations was on the transformative impact of Bio-Techne’s MauriceFlex™ system on their biotherapeutic development processes. MauriceFlex™, known for its automated capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF), also enables protein charge fractionation, allowing charge variant characterization in downstream analytics like mass spectrometry. Like the Maurice™ system, the MauriceFlex™ also allows protein size analysis with capillary electrophoresis sodium dodecyl sulfate (CE-SDS).
Traditionally, the characterization of charge species in biotherapeutics has faced significant challenges owing to the limitations in analytical tools, resulting in the use of time-consuming and laborious methods for isolating individual variants. Consequently, charge variant characterization has been a pain point in biotherapeutic process development. Traditional methods like ion-exchange chromatography (IEX), often encounter bottlenecks in method optimization, particularly when dealing with complex molecules like enzymes, fusion proteins, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). MauriceFlex™, with the added capability of protein charge fractionation, offers a tool that reduces several pain points in charge species characterization, making it a routine assay that can be performed at multiple stages of process development.
During the WCBP conference, a presentation given by Xiaoping He and Sisi Huang from Pfizer, demonstrated how MauriceFlex™ enabled the characterization of charge species in AAV capsid proteins, helping the acceleration of AAV gene therapy development. The second presentation, by Qurrat (Anny) Ul-Ain and Zishuo (Toby) Cheng from Sanofi further showcased the MauriceFlex system’s efficiency in collecting multiple charge variants of a complex protein with single-peak resolution for downstream mass spectrometry characterization.
The discussions at the conference, particularly regarding the MauriceFlex™ system, reflect significant progress in the advancements of analytical techniques used in biotherapeutic development, said Will Geist, President of Bio-Techne’s Protein Sciences Segment. These developments underscore the need for continuous innovation around analytical methods, empowering scientists to obtain critical information they need to produce the best-in-class therapeutics for patients worldwide.
Scientists Highlight Protein Biotherapeutic Charge Heterogeneity Advancements at WCBP Conference
Washington D.C. – Scientists from Pfizer and Sanofi, two major biopharmaceutical companies, recently presented at the WCBP conference, shedding light on the latest breakthroughs in protein biotherapeutic charge heterogeneity characterization. The focus of their presentations centered around the transformative impact of Bio-Techne Corporation’s MauriceFlex™ system, an advanced analytical tool that has revolutionized the biotherapeutic development process.
Bio-Techne’s MauriceFlex™ system, renowned for its automated capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF) technology, provides a novel solution for analyzing protein charge variants. Unlike traditional methods which often rely on time-consuming and labor-intensive processes, MauriceFlex™ offers a streamlined approach that enables charge variant characterization at multiple stages of process development. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly accelerate biotherapeutic development and enhance patient care.
One of the key challenges in characterizing charge species in biotherapeutics is the limitations of existing analytical tools. With the MauriceFlex™ system, this issue is effectively addressed through its protein charge fractionation capability. By incorporating downstream analytics like mass spectrometry, scientists can accurately identify charge variants and gain critical insights into the development of therapeutics such as AAV gene therapy.
During the conference, Pfizer’s Xiaoping He and Sisi Huang presented their findings on utilizing MauriceFlex™ to characterize charge species in AAV capsid proteins. Their research demonstrated how this innovative system significantly expedites AAV gene therapy development, marking a major advancement in the field.
Sanofi’s Qurrat (Anny) Ul-Ain and Zishuo (Toby) Cheng also showcased the efficiency of the MauriceFlex™ system in collecting multiple charge variants of a complex protein for downstream mass spectrometry characterization. This groundbreaking capability provides scientists with a powerful tool to enhance the understanding of intricate protein structures, paving the way for more effective therapeutics.
Will Geist, President of Bio-Techne’s Protein Sciences Segment, emphasized the significance of the discussions held during the conference, particularly regarding the MauriceFlex™ system. Geist recognized the progress made in analytical techniques within the field of biotherapeutic development and highlighted the importance of continuous innovation in empowering scientists to produce cutting-edge therapeutics that address the needs of patients worldwide.
The presentations at the WCBP conference underscore the immense potential of the MauriceFlex™ system and its instrumental role in advancing protein biotherapeutic charge heterogeneity characterization. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, innovative tools like MauriceFlex™ are crucial in unlocking new insights and expanding the frontiers of biotherapeutic development. With its ability to revolutionize the characterization process, MauriceFlex™ holds promise for future advancements in the field, ultimately benefiting patients globally.
