SynGenSys expands synthetic promoter library to boost CHO cell productivity

UK biotechnology company SynGenSys has launched an expanded version of its CHO.SET synthetic promoter library, designed to increase protein production and improve the efficiency of biopharmaceutical manufacturing using Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells.

The new CHO.SET 2.0 library comprises novel synthetic promoters designed to provide tuneable transgene expression while maximising productivity in CHO cells. The company says the technology could help biopharmaceutical developers increase protein titres, reduce manufacturing costs and shorten development timelines.

The launch comes as manufacturers face continued pressure to improve the productivity and efficiency of cell-based production systems for biologic medicines.

Targeting CHO cell productivity

CHO cells are widely used as production hosts for therapeutic proteins, including monoclonal antibodies. However, SynGenSys says conventional expression systems based on natural promoters such as CMV and SV40E can limit transcriptional activity and make it challenging to achieve the productivity required for modern biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

CHO.SET 2.0 has been developed using SynGenSys' proprietary transcriptional analysis and sequence engineering platform. The synthetic promoters are designed computationally and subsequently validated experimentally, creating a diverse library that can be applied across different CHO expression systems and manufacturing requirements.

New data released alongside the launch indicate that selected CHO.SET promoters can deliver significantly higher productivity than standard industry promoters.

SynGenSys reports that selected vectors achieved more than four-fold higher antibody productivity, with titres exceeding 2 g/L in a 14-day fed-batch flask model.

The company also says CHO.SET synthetic promoter pools contain a greater proportion of high-expressing cells, potentially increasing the likelihood of identifying high-performing clones during cell-line development.

Potential to accelerate cell-line development

According to SynGenSys, the technology could help simplify and accelerate cell-line development workflows by enabling high titres without the need for methionine sulfoximine (MSX).

Removing the requirement for MSX could reduce process complexity while supporting faster recovery timelines and earlier access to material for activities such as toxicity studies.

The company says the technology could ultimately contribute to smaller manufacturing batches, shorter development timelines and lower costs for developers of biologic medicines.

Dr Andrew Racher, Co-CEO of SynGenSys, said:

He added that the company was continuing to develop solutions to address evolving biomanufacturing requirements.

Expanding synthetic biology applications

SynGenSys first introduced its CHO.SET promoter library in 2024 and has since expanded and optimised the platform.

The company's broader technology portfolio uses computational design and transcriptional landscape mapping to develop synthetic promoters for applications spanning biomanufacturing and cell and gene therapy.

Alongside its CHO.SET promoters, SynGenSys develops bespoke synthetic promoters designed to provide tuneable, cell- and tissue-specific transgene expression, as well as synthetic signal peptides intended to improve protein translocation, including for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) applications.

The company says its technologies are designed to help developers overcome protein-expression bottlenecks and support the development and manufacture of next-generation biologic medicines.

CHO.SET 2.0 will be showcased at BioProcess International in September, as part of Biotech Week Boston.