Calpain substrate peptide (QSY21-QEVYGAMP-K(Cy5)-PEG2-GC- NH2) was synthesized by CPC Scientific Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA …
Abstract
Currently, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is detected by medical imaging; however, medical imaging requires expensive capital equipment, is time- and resource-intensive, and is poor at predicting patient prognosis. To date, direct measurement of elevated protease activity has yet to be utilized to detect TBI. In this work, we engineered an activity-based nanosensor for TBI (TBI-ABN) that responds to increased protease activity initiated after brain injury. We establish that a calcium-sensitive protease, calpain-1, is active in the injured brain hours within injury. We then optimize the molecular weight of a nanoscale polymeric carrier to infiltrate into the injured brain tissue with minimal renal filtration. A calpain-1 substrate that generates a fluorescent signal upon cleavage was attached to this nanoscale polymeric carrier to generate an engineered TBI-ABN. When applied intravenously to a mouse model of TBI, our engineered sensor is observed to locally activate in the injured brain tissue. This TBI-ABN is the first demonstration of a sensor that responds to protease activity to detect TBI.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Connect with us and stay updated by following our social media channels.
Latest Briefings from our Knowledge Center
Press Releases, Industry News, Articles, and Technical Content
CPC Scientific had a fantastic time connecting with partners this year at DCAT Week 2026. See our standout highlights from New York, featuring generic API scale-up, the 98th DCAT Annual Dinner, and more...
Catch CPC Scientific's key highlights from NextGen Biomed 2026, where we showcased how our advanced process design is accelerating production timelines and cost efficiency for greener TIDES manufacturing at scale...
Delivery of polypeptides in multi-kilogram quantities within commercially competitive timelines is extremely challenging, especially when coupled with a desire to minimize environmental and economic impact. This case study explores how CPC Scientific’s advanced process improvements and efficiencies within solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) have enabled multi-kilogram delivery of a pharmaceutically-relevant decapeptide within a challenging timescale, driving sustainable and cost-saving production for the client.
As 2025 draws to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners and colleagues around the world! Your trust and collaboration enabled CPC Scientific to make meaningful progress across our CDMO thought leadership, operational scale, and global business milestones this year. Explore featured highlights and resources from the year to see how our people, partners, and platforms drove innovation and impact throughout 2025.
President Theresa Cheng spoke to PhD students at Weill Cornell Graduate School, sharing industry insights and exploring how academic research today can translate into tomorrow’s cutting-edge healthcare leadership.
Our team has developed an innovative DMF recycling strategy that substantially reduces solvent consumption during solid-phase peptide synthesis. Minimizing use of DMF, a major environmental and cost contributor in peptide manufacturing, has improved process sustainability and cost efficiency. This method neatly demonstrates how targeted green chemistry practices can be successfully integrated into large-scale SPPS, supporting more environmentally responsible and economically viable peptide production.
CPC Scientific’s Rocklin facility is undergoing a major expansion to establish a 41,000 sq ft Center of Excellence for U.S.-based peptide API manufacturing. Construction is now underway—more updates coming soon.
From Nusinersen to Inclisiran, oligonucleotide APIs are rapidly reshaping modern drug development. Explore the role of oligonucleotide CDMOs in enabling analytical innovation and scalable, compliant manufacturing across the RNA therapeutic frontier.
Peptide and oligonucleotide APIs are driving a new generation of pharmaceutical drug development. Learn more about the API manufacturing process and why it matters to partner with a specialized peptide and oligonucleotide CDMO.