Roche launches new alpha-2,6-Sialyltransferase enzyme

Produced under animal-origin free conditions, the first sugar-transferase is developed for in vitro sialylation of glycoproteins and complex molecules as human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).

The enzyme featuring high consistency supports quality by design process in biopharmaceutical development, claimed the company.

Roche Biochemical Reagents & Custom Biotech head Ruedi Stoffel said, "This launch is the first in a series to offer a complete glyco-engineering portfolio of key enzymes and activated sugars covering a broad spectrum of applications."

Delivering around 95% bi-antennary sialylation of N-Glycan chains within six to eight hours, the alpha-2,6-Sialyltransferase is based on a human genome sequence and expressed in mammalian expression systems.

Roche plans to complete the portfolio soon by launching additional Sialyl-and Galactosyltransferases.