Protein Science Services for Drug Discovery
Fit-for-Purpose Proteins and Structural Insights
Reliable protein reagents are foundational to target validation, assay development, screening, biophysical evaluation, and structure-guided drug discovery. Protein science services bring together construct design, recombinant protein expression and purification, quality assessment, and structural biology to generate proteins and data suited to the intended experimental purpose.
Starting with the target and downstream application, our teams develop fit-for-purpose strategies for soluble and membrane proteins, antibodies and antibody fragments, and multi-protein complexes. Protein production, characterization, and structural analysis can be delivered as standalone services or integrated with assay biology, biophysical evaluation, medicinal chemistry, DMPK, bioanalysis, and broader drug discovery programs to support key development decisions.
Protein Science Experience at a Glance
Annual Protein Production Lots
Expression Success Rate Over 3 Years
Crystal Structures Delivered Annually
Protein Design, Expression, and Purification
Protein requirements differ depending on whether the material will be used for target validation, biochemical assays, screening, biophysical studies, in vivo research, or structure determination. Starting with the downstream objective helps guide construct design, expression-system selection, expression scale, purification strategy, buffer conditions, and production scale. Strategies can be tailored for soluble proteins, membrane proteins, secreted proteins, antibodies and fragments, and multi-protein complexes.
- Construct design, cloning, and expression feasibility assessment
- Expression screening and optimization in bacterial, insect, or mammalian systems
- Purification, tag removal, modification, refolding, and buffer optimization/exchange as needed
- Production at a scale appropriate for the downstream application
- Application-specific quality control and protein delivery
Explore our Protein and Antibody Production.
Characterization That Confirms Protein Quality
Purity alone does not establish that a protein is suitable for its intended use. Characterization can assess identity, concentration, homogeneity, aggregation, thermal stability, and functional performance, helping teams identify material attributes that may affect assay reliability or structural studies. Orthogonal analytical and biophysical methods are selected according to the protein, its intended application, and the development question.
- Identity and molecular-weight confirmation
- Purity, concentration, and sample homogeneity
- Aggregation, oligomeric state, and stability assessment
- Buffer and handling-condition evaluation
- Functional activity or binding confirmation when appropriate
For detailed interaction and binding analysis, visit Biophysical Evaluation.
Structural Insights to Guide Drug Discovery
Understanding how a therapeutic interacts with its target can reduce uncertainty during hit validation and lead optimization. Structural biology provides molecular insights that support rational decision-making throughout drug discovery. The appropriate method depends on target properties, sample availability, resolution needs, and the scientific question. Coordinated protein production and sample preparation help generate material suited for structural analysis and reduce avoidable iteration between teams.
- Method selection based on target and program objectives
- Sample preparation and quality assessment for structural studies
- Structure determination for apo and ligand-bound targets
- Structural interpretation to support compound design and prioritization
Explore Structural Biology, including X-Ray Crystallography and Cryo-EM.
Explore Solutions for Your Program
Explore solutions by development phase, drug modality, therapeutic area, or integrated discovery needs.
You May Also Be Interested In
Get a Quote
Ready to plan your next study? Share your program needs with our team for a tailored estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protein science services include recombinant protein design, expression, purification, characterization, and structural analysis. These activities generate fit-for-purpose reagents and data for target validation, assay development, screening, biophysical studies, and structure-guided drug discovery. The scope should be defined by the downstream application rather than by a standard production workflow.
Protein that appears pure may still be aggregated, unstable, inactive, or present in an unsuitable oligomeric state. These issues can introduce assay variability, yield misleading binding results, or result in unsuccessful structural studies. A fit-for-purpose quality-control strategy examines the properties most relevant to the protein’s intended use.
Selection depends on protein size, folding requirements, post-translational modifications, solubility, complexity, yield, timeline, and intended application. E. coli can be efficient for many soluble proteins, whereas insect or mammalian systems may be more suitable for proteins requiring complex folding or modifications. Parallel construct or expression screening can reduce risk for challenging targets.
Common assessments include identity, purity, concentration, homogeneity, aggregation, stability, and functional activity. The methods selected may include chromatography, mass spectrometry, electrophoresis, thermal stability analysis, or orthogonal binding and activity assays. The characterization plan should be matched to the protein and the downstream decision.
Yes. Membrane proteins and complexes often need tailored construct design, co-expression, solubilization/extraction, purification, and stabilization. Defining the downstream use early helps set appropriate buffer and quality requirements.
Structural biology can add value when a program needs to confirm target or ligand interactions, understand a binding mode, assess selectivity, or guide compound optimization. The timing depends on protein availability, target tractability, and the decision the structure is expected to support. Early alignment among protein science, assay biology, and medicinal chemistry can reduce rework and improve the value of structural data.
Protein production, characterization, structural biology, assay development, and downstream pharmacology often influence one another. Coordinating these activities through an integrated team can reduce project handoffs, improve communication, and help ensure that protein reagents and structural data are generated to meet the needs of subsequent studies. This approach may reduce delays associated with repeating protein production or re-optimizing assays as programs progress.