Exploring the expression systems in CDMO

Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) plays a pivotal role in the biopharmaceutical industry by providing specialized services for biologics development. One critical factor in this process is selecting the right expression system, as it directly affects the yield and quality of the product. This article explores various systems and their respective advantages.

Mammalian Expression Systems

Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are the gold standard for therapeutic proteins that require human-like post-translational modifications. They are commonly used for monoclonal antibodies and other complex biologics.

Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) cells offer high expression levels and produce proteins with human-specific modifications, which can be crucial for certain therapeutic applications.

Insect Cell Expression Systems

By using baculovirus to infect insect cells, this system can handle complex post-translational modifications, making it particularly suited for membrane proteins and glycoproteins. While they are cost-effective, it can still yield functional proteins that resemble those produced in higher eukaryotes.

Plant Expression Systems

Engineered plants offer a scalable, cost-effective option for recombinant protein production. However, challenges with glycosylation patterns and regulatory approval limit widespread adoption, making plant-based systems more specialized for certain therapeutic targets.

Cell-Free Expression Systems

Cell-free systems use cellular extracts to produce proteins without living cells. They enable rapid, high-throughput production, ideal for screening and small-scale applications. Although these systems are efficient for prototyping, scaling up can be more challenging.

Microbial Expression Systems

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is widely favored for its rapid growth and cost-effectiveness, making it ideal for producing simpler proteins that do not require extensive post-translational modifications.

Yeasts like Pichia pastoris are eukaryotic organisms capable of some post-translational modifications, and they also secrete proteins into the culture medium for easier purification. These systems strike a balance between complexity and efficiency.

Compared to mammalian cells, microbial systems are significantly faster, more cost-effective, and scalable. While mammalian cells are essential for complex glycoproteins, microbial hosts excel in producing non-glycosylated proteins, enzymes, and industrial-scale biologics.

Compared to insect and plant systems: Microbial platforms are more widely accepted, regulatory-compliant, and commercially proven, making them a preferred choice for industrial biomanufacturing.

Why Choose Yaohai for Microbial CDMO Services?

We have built a leading microbial CDMO platform to support global biopharma companies with:

Scale-up & GMP Manufacturing – Seamless transition from pilot to commercial production.

300+ Project Pipeline – We currently manage a broad clinical pipeline exceeding 300 projects, from strain development to the commercialization.

Regulatory Support – Having passed over 100 audits, including approvals from NMPA, we uphold strict global compliance and top-tier quality standards.

We are also actively seeking institutional or individual global partners. We offer the most competitive compensation in the industry. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]