Custom Peptide Services

Date: October 27, 1997 Comparison chart Chart 2 For years, peptides were the purview of immunologists and endocrinologists, but with the development of combinatorial chemistry and phage display libraries, the demand for peptides has skyrocketed. So too has the number of companies that provide custom peptide services. Once the bailiwick of a handful of companies, the field has burgeoned to close to 40 companies. The playing field is divided into at least two sectors: those companies with long-standing traditions in this area that provide comprehensive services in the manufacture and in some cases design and testing of peptides, and those that provide a low-cost product with a quick turnaround to appeal to the impatient and somewhat less discriminating researcher. What sets companies apart is the range of services provided along with the peptide. Some companies try to be full-service providers with, for example, capabilities for antibody production or oligo production to complement the peptide service. Some companies provide multiple analyses of the product, either as part of the service or as an add on. As the demand for complex peptides is increasing, examining the product is taking on added importance. While high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) appears to be the norm for analysis of purity of peptides, a single peak on HPLC is no guarantee of a good peptide, and by itself it is not sufficient to ensure a quality synthesis of any peptide. How do you know what kind of company you are dealing with? To start with, see what the company literature has to say. If the company brochure leads with the price per residue, chances are this is what it is trying to sell you on. On the other hand, many of the older, more established companies emphasize their expertise and service; peptides purchased from these companies may cost more and take longer to make but, because of the quality of the product, may ultimately save time. Peptides come in a variety of sizes and purity levels and with numerous tags, labels, and modifications. Except for some highly specialized modifications, the offerings from most of the companies are indistinguishable. However, some companies are better positioned for large-scale production, while others can prepare only small quantities. Also, some clinical and pharmaceutical applications require "good manufacturing practice," or GMP, and not all companies meet this standard. Finally, watch out for hidden costs. While the price per residue of a particular company may appear to fit within your research budget, often the price-tag of the finished peptide will be considerably more when the costs for purification and modification are factored in. Some analyses are standard procedure and do not add to the cost, while others may cost extra. You also might want to know whether the customer pays per synthesis or per product. For complex or difficult-to-synthesize peptides, multiple syntheses might be necessary to make the desired quantity. Be sure to read the fine print to see what is included or guaranteed. Most of the companies in this first group have been in the custom peptide business for 10-20 years and are generally considered industry leaders. Those listed in the first table have a great deal of expertise in peptide synthesis inhouse, in some cases having been involved with the development of the instrumentation or ancillary technology. Many of the industry leaders have extensive catalog as well as custom peptides, and can provide other complementary services along with peptide synthesis. They also tend to be large facilities with access to related chemicals and products, all of which can help keep the price low. Many of the companies listed in Table 2 are relatively new entries into the custom peptide field, often as an extension of custom oligo services. The marketing strategy for some companies is based on low cost and speedy delivery, and therefore in the current granting crisis, these companies have appeal. Other companies have tried to make a niche for themselves by providing special services or features. The introduction of automated synthesizers has reduced the necessity for technical expertise as compared to manual synthesis. Nonetheless, some companies in this group may not be appropriate for complex peptides or large-scale production, though they may provide good quality peptides. There is yet another option for filling your peptide needs. Many universities and research institutes have core custom peptide services for their own scientists and, in some cases, for outside researchers. The Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) has over 280 member laboratories, about 40% of which perform peptide synthesis. The ABRF Peptide Synthesis Research Committee conducts anonymous studies of peptides submitted by member laboratories to assess the quality of the products produced in these facilities and to test new technologies or methods in peptide synthesis. A recent review article provides a retrospective of six years of these studies (R.H. Angeletti et al, Methods in Enzymology, vol. 289, San Diego, Academic Press, 1997, page 697). The studies have underscored the importance of careful characterization of the peptide product and have also explored conditions for formation of disulfide bonds and preparation of modified peptides. Some academic peptide synthesis facilities now focus on synthesis of specialty-modified peptides or long peptides for their researchers and most will work together with investigators to help a project move forward. A list of member laboratories may be found on the ABRF web page: www.medstv.unimelb.edu.au/ABRFNews The field of custom peptides is becoming known for its fierce competition, which could lead to an eventual shakedown in the industry. This may drive some companies out, and in fact, has led to some repositioning of companies already. On the positive side, however, the presence of so many companies may accelerate innovation as companies strive to keep up with researchers, an outcome that doubtless will benefit both science and industry. Comparison chart Chart 2 The author can be reached at ldefrancesco@the-scientist.com

Custom Peptide Services

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