Warwick Effect Polymers Ltd

PolyPEG^® represents a new generation of novel pegylating agents for conjugation to therapeutic proteins, peptides and small molecules. PolyPEGs are comb shaped polymers with PEG teeth on a methacrylic polymer back bone. PolyPEGs have a variety of molecular weights, PEG chain lengths and conjugating end-groups.

. The structure can be varied in three ways:

1. The methacrylic backbone which determines the "length of the comb"

2. The PEG chain length which determines the quantity of PEG on each "tooth of the comb"

3. The active end-group which determines the site of conjugation between the PolyPEG^® and target biomolecule

The unique 'comb-like' architecture of PolyPEG^® provides an alternative approach to PEGylation by exploiting the properties of a structure that degrades to small units that are readily excreted over time. This allows their use at high total doses, while avoiding potential toxicological problems associated with accumulation of larger molecular weight PEG chains in tissues. PolyPEG^® not only shares the property of conventional PEGs in enhancing the therapeutic effect of biological molecules by extending their circulatory persistence, but also improves biological activity of certain peptides to a greater extent than conventional PEGs.

PolyPEG^® molecules can be tailored for a particular requirement for PEGylation of a range of therapeutic molecules. They can be synthesised with a chosen conjugating group for stable, covalent site-directed attachment to peptides and proteins at lysine or cysteine residues, or N-terminal amines.