Combining solid phase synthesis and chromatographic purification for efficient peptide manufacture

In recent years, peptides have gained an important position in the drug arena for a variety of treatments. Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) continues to have a significant impact in both R&D as well as in production of commercial peptides. The combination of SPPS with reverse-phase (RP) chromatographic separations allowed for the peptides to be purified to levels suitable for drug usage. Thanks to their chemical and physical stability to high pressure, chemicals, temperature and oxidising reagents, polystyrene / divinyl benzene (PS/DVB) resins are the main solid support for peptide synthesis as well as being suitable for the chromatographic purification of the peptides by RP and ion exchange (IEX). Depending on the application, the optimal cross-linking changes, as do the optimal particle size, the uniformity in particle size distribution and the porosity of the resin. The characteristics and applications of the PS/DVB resins are explored in this paper for the synthesis and purification of peptides of commercial interest