Scientists from Croatia have identified 90 genes associated with the glycosylation of immunoglobulin (IgG). This significant discovery could transform antibody production processes by enhancing yields and facilitating scale-up, a critical concern for drug developers in the biopharmaceutical industry.
The research team, which has already demonstrated that 20 of these genes can modify glycosylation pathways, aims to leverage these findings to optimize production methodologies. “Glycosylation is a Critical Quality Attribute (CQA) that can shift significantly during scale-up,” explains Anika Mijakovac, PhD, a researcher from the University of Zagreb. The integration of CRISPR tools in production cell lines may allow for rapid adjustments to glycosylation patterns.
Having initiated their investigation into IgG glycosylation regulation over a decade ago, the team utilized genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to pinpoint these genes, many of which previously had unknown roles in glycosylation. Their findings indicate that specific genes influence IgG glycosylation in unique ways, leading to distinct glycoforms that traditional methods could not achieve. By elucidating the glycosylation pathways linked to these genes, the team hopes to provide the biopharmaceutical industry with new strategies for controlling therapeutic antibody production more effectively.
Mijakovac emphasizes the potential for developing therapeutics targeting these pathways, which could revolutionize how glycosylation is approached in the industry. The team has already published several papers on their findings, with Mijakovac set to present their research at the Bioprocessing Summit Europe in March 2026.
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