Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Agilent Technologies and A*STAR's Bioprocessing Technology Institute Collaborate on New Bioanalytical Methodologies

Home > Press > Agilent Technologies and A*STAR's Bioprocessing Technology Institute Collaborate on New Bioanalytical Methodologies

Abstract:
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), a research institute of Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) today announced that they will collaborate on new analytical approaches to analyzing specific protein-linked sugar compounds.

Agilent Technologies and A*STAR's Bioprocessing Technology Institute Collaborate on New Bioanalytical Methodologies

Singapore | Posted on July 15th, 2015

The collaboration will address a gap in analytical tests and standards applied for drugs based on glycoproteins, which now form the majority of approved biopharmaceutical drugs. Current analytical methods for characterizing glycans are time-consuming and difficult to deploy in commercial environments. They are also limited in their ability to detect and analyze minor glycan species.

"This collaboration between Agilent and BTI addresses a critical need in the biopharmaceutical industry for a novel technology platform that can support detailed glycan analysis quickly and effectively in a high throughput environment," said Nino Totino, general manager for Agilent's Life Sciences and Applied Markets Group in the South Asia, Pacific and Korea region. "Agilent, with our industry-leading analytical technology platform, and BTI, with its deep expertise in bioprocessing science and engineering, will work together on several projects that could lead to the creation of rigorous, standardized tests for drug safety and efficacy around the world."

Professor Lam Kong Peng, Executive Director of BTI, said: "Recognizing the increasing importance of biologics to treat human diseases, BTI will continue to work with the industry to improve the productivity of bioprocessing while ensuring that the therapeutics produced are effective and safe. This collaboration will help build glycomics capabilities in Singapore and is part of process analytical technologies relevant to the biomanufacturing industry. Ultimately, this partnership will enhance Singapore's reputation as a world-class destination for biopharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing."

The collaboration will further develop Agilent's AssayMAP Bravo platform, a fully automated solution for high-throughput protein sample preparation and purification. Using this platform along with a mass spectrometer, BTI's researchers can apply their expertise in the production of therapeutic glycoproteins to develop optimized workflows and methods for the analysis of N- and O- linked glycans.

"Bringing together expertise from Agilent and BTI will allow us to develop an approach for analysis of therapeutic glycoproteins that requires lesser user intervention while keeping to the high standards of analysis needed. Its success would be greatly beneficial to human health and the biologics industry," said Dr. Zhang Peiqing, research scientist at BTI and lead investigator for the projects under this collaboration.

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About A*STAR
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that spearheads economic oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit society.

As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.

We play a key role in nurturing and developing a diversity of talent and leaders in our Agency and Research Institutes, the wider research community and industry. A*STAR oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For more information on A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.

About Bioprocessing Technology Institute

Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) is a member of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Established in 1990 as the Bioprocessing Technology Unit, it was renamed the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) in 2003. The research institute's mission is to develop manpower capabilities and establish cutting-edge technologies relevant to the bioprocessing community. Some of the key research areas include expression engineering, animal cell technology, stem cell research, microbial fermentation, downstream purification and analytics. For more information about BTI, please visit bti.a-star.edu.sg.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A), a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets, is the premier laboratory partner for a better world. Agilent works with customers in more than 100 countries, providing instruments, software, services and consumables for the entire laboratory workflow. The company generated revenues of $4.0 billion in fiscal 2014 and employs about 12,000 people worldwide. Agilent marks its 50th anniversary in analytical instrumentation this year. Information about Agilent is available atwww.agilent.com.

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Contacts:
Victoria Wadsworth-Hansen
Agilent
+1 408 553 2005

Vanessa Loh
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
+65 6826 6395

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