Linear vs Fragment SPPS for Peptide Manufacturing

As demand for complex peptide APIs reaches unprecedented scales, manufacturers face a critical strategic question: is linear solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) or a fragment-based approach the right choice for large-scale production of the target molecule?

Fragment-based approaches have gained attention following high-profile successes, but Bachem’s experience shows they are not automatically superior. To find out when – and whether – conjugation of SPPS-based fragments truly delivers advantages over optimized linear SPPS, we conducted a comprehensive feasibility study and cost evaluation on a commercially relevant GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Download the case study to discover:

• How fragment approaches can lose their cost advantage when realistic manufacturing conditions are applied, even for longer peptides
• How epimerization risk can compound through process stages in ways that theoretical models cannot predict
• Why linear SPPS achieved superior yields and purity – outperforming all fragment strategies tested
• A practical decision framework for selecting the right peptide manufacturing approach for your program