Gannet BioChem delivers polymer science services grounded in decades of hands-on experience supporting complex therapeutic programs. Our scientific team applies deep expertise in PEG chemistry, activated polymers, and conjugation strategies to help partners develop materials that perform consistently from early research through scale-up and cGMP manufacturing.

A Legacy of Polymer Science Expertise

Gannet BioChem’s foundation in polymer science spans more than 30 years, with roots in Shearwater Polymers and Nektar Therapeutics. Over that time, our scientists have helped shape polymer-enabled drug delivery by developing and manufacturing materials used in FDA-approved therapies and late-stage clinical programs.

Our teams combine long-standing experience with modern development and manufacturing capabilities, supporting partners with the consistency, technical depth, and collaboration needed to advance complex molecules. From early process development to commercial supply, our approach emphasizes quality, scalability, and clear communication across every stage.

PEG & Bioconjugation

Gannet BioChem is widely recognized for its leadership in PEG chemistry and bioconjugation services, supporting programs that require precise control over polymer structure, purity, and performance. By integrating development, analytics, and manufacturing, we help partners select the right PEG structure, functional group, and conjugation approach to meet both scientific and manufacturing goals.

Activated Polymers

Our activated polymer capabilities extend Gannet BioChem’s polymer science services beyond PEG to support a broader range of conjugated polymers and advanced materials. We develop, scale, and manufacture activated polymers with diverse architectures, molecular weights, and functional groups. Programs benefit from integrated process development, in-house analytics, and manufacturing-ready workflows that support consistent scale-up and regulatory alignment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn how our polymer science services drive results across PEG, bioconjugation, and activated polymers.

Gannet BioChem provides polymer science services that support therapeutic programs from early development through scale-up and cGMP manufacturing. Our expertise spans PEG chemistry, bioconjugation, and activated polymer development, with integrated process development, analytical method development, and manufacturing readiness built into each program.

Gannet BioChem’s polymer science expertise is built on more than three decades of hands-on experience developing and manufacturing polymers used in FDA-approved therapies and late-stage clinical programs. Unlike CDMOs that approach polymers as an extension of small-molecule or biologics workflows, our teams specialize in the unique challenges of polymer chemistry, including molecular weight control, functional group reactivity, and impurity management.

PEGylation is widely used in therapeutic development to improve a molecule’s stability, solubility, pharmacokinetics, and overall manufacturability. By conjugating polyethylene glycol (PEG) to proteins, peptides, or small molecules, developers can extend circulation time, reduce immunogenicity, and enhance formulation robustness. PEGylation is often considered when a therapeutic shows promising activity but faces challenges related to stability, dosing frequency, or delivery. Successful outcomes depend on selecting the right PEG structure, molecular weight, and conjugation strategy early in development.

Dive Deeper Into PEG Solutions >

Gannet BioChem works with a wide range of PEG architectures and molecular weights to support diverse therapeutic needs. Our experience includes:

  • Linear
  • Branched
  • Multi-arm (e.g., 4-arm and 8-arm)
  • Forked PEG structures
  • Molecular weights ranging from below 500 Da to approximately 60 kDa

We also support a broad set of functional groups and linker chemistries, allowing PEG design to be tailored to performance goals.

Learn More About PEG Services >

Common PEGylation challenges include controlling purity, managing conjugation heterogeneity, isolating specific degrees of PEGylation, and ensuring scalability of the selected approach. Gannet BioChem addresses these challenges by integrating PEG reagent design, conjugation development, and analytical characterization from the outset. Our teams apply decades of experience to guide PEG structure selection and develop purification strategies supported by in-house analytics.

Hear more about PEG challenges from Ryan Odom (sr. scientist II), in this video >

Activated polymers are functionalized polymers designed to react in a controlled manner with target molecules during conjugation or downstream processing. Scaling these materials is challenging due to their sensitivity to reaction conditions, variability in molecular weight distribution, and the potential presence of unintended low-molecular-weight or multifunctional species.

Gannet BioChem approaches activated polymer development with a focus on defining and controlling the parameters that matter most for scalable manufacturing. Our teams work closely with partners to refine reaction conditions, purification strategies, and isolation methods while developing analytical control points that support consistent quality. Process development is performed using equipment that closely models manufacturing-scale operations, enabling efficient tech transfer and reducing risk as programs move from laboratory concepts to cGMP production.

Discover Our Polymer Solutions >

Gannet BioChem supports a broad range of polymer architectures and functional designs across diverse molecule range ranges including:

  • Linear
  • Branched
  • Forked
  • Multi-arm
  • Functional groups designed for controlled reactivity and conjugation

In addition to PEG-based systems, our expertise extends to other synthetic and natural polymers such as:

  • Polysarcosines
  • Polyoxazolines
  • Polyethyleneimines
  • Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)
  • Polycaprolactones
  • Chitosan
  • Dextran
  • Zwitterionic polymers

See Our Polymer Capabilities >

Analytical methods are tightly integrated into every polymer science program at Gannet BioChem. Our analytical teams use orthogonal techniques alongside polymer scientists to characterize molecular weight distribution, functional group integrity, purity, and conjugation behavior. This integrated approach provides real-time insight and ensures that polymer processes are built on a clear understanding of critical quality attributes.

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