Synthetic Peptide Manufacturing: Options for the Upstream Process
Stefan Eissler
Vice President of Peptide Manufacturing Upstream, Bachem
With the utilization of peptide-based drugs for treating obesity, the demand for peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is expected to rise significantly.[1] This resurgence prompts a renewed inquiry into the most efficient methods for meeting this demand, especially considering the high process mass intensity associated with conventional SPPS-based peptide synthesis. [2] Consequently, numerous stakeholders, including individuals, institutions, and companies, are exploring alternative, more environmentally-friendly approaches to peptide synthesis.
In the presentation, an overview of synthetic peptide manufacturing methods and technologies currently employed at production scale will be provided with focus on the upstream process, along with a discussion of the respective advantages and disadvantages regarding various aspects like process development, complexity and environmental friendliness.
Stefan earned his Diploma in Biochemistry from Bielefeld University in 2004, and subsequently completed his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 2008 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Norbert Sewald, focusing on the Synthesis of Cryptophycins for SAR Studies. Following a Post-Doc position at the Laboratory for Process Research in Zürich from 2008 to 2010, where he worked under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Bader and Prof. Dr. Jay S. Siegel, Stefan joined Bachem AG in 2010 as a team leader for liquid-phase peptide synthesis. After a year, he transitioned to a team leader role in solid-phase peptide synthesis, where he oversaw large-scale SPPS operations. In 2015, Stefan was promoted to director, and his responsibilities expanded to include solution-phase steps and TFA cleavage. Subsequently, in 2019, he assumed leadership of downstream processing, with a focus on peptide chromatography and freeze-drying, as a senior director. Returning to upstream manufacturing in 2022, Stefan currently serves as Vice President of Peptide Manufacturing Upstream.