Bachem and GlyTech have been shortlisted in the CPhI Pharma Awards for Innovation in Process Development category for their pioneering work in developing a scalable chemical synthesis of Interferon β-1a to be presented on the first evening of the 2013 CPhI Worldwide Conference at Messe Frankfurt.

The oral presentation entitled “Pioneering  breakthrough in the chemical synthesis of Interferon β-1a” will be given by Dr. José de Chastonay (Chief Marketing Officer, Bachem Holding AG) at CPhI Speaker`s Corner on Tuesday, 22 October 2013 at 10:30.

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 synthesized Interferon β-1a is as good as or better than the conventional recombinant product.