Validogen (styled VALIDOGEN) is launching its next-generation synthetic methanol-free promoters, which the company says will lead to “substantially increased productivities.”

The launch, according to Validogen, represents a significant advancement for protein production in Pichia pastoris. P. pastoris is a methylotrophic yeast that is one of the main expression systems for production of heterologous proteins.

Validogen Platform at Center Stage

Also, the launch spotlights Validogen’s proprietary UNLOCK PICHIA platform. Validogen CEO Thomas Purkarthofer said that can offer enhanced productivity, simplified process control, lower oxygen demand, and reduced cooling requirements.

“This new promoter library broadens the range of solutions we can offer our customers,” Purkarthofer said. “In addition, there is no longer a need to identify a manufacturing site equipped to handle methanol at large scale.”

Validogen is a CDMO specializing in recombinant protein expression, strain engineering, and protein production process development. Previously, the company has supported customers by applying both methanol-induced and methanol-free expression systems.

Why Methanol-Free Matters

What the new promoters boast is the use of glycerol or glucose as the sole carbon source throughout the process. This avoids the metabolic burden often associated with carbon source switching.

“Controlled, methanol-free expression in Pichia is not new to Validogen,” said company Head of Operations Roland Weis. “What is new is the level of control and productivity that can now be achieved.”

Weis said that the performance observed so far is comparable to—or in some cases, exceeds—methanol-induced systems.

Ultimately, Validogen says, end results may include reduced cost of goods and the facilitation of robust, scalable production processes.