10 Bachem Annual Report 2013

What are Peptides?Peptides are chains of 2 to about 100 amino acids. Longer chains are called proteins. Peptides are organic compounds made up of natural amino acids in living organisms. Orig-inally isolated from biological sourc-es, they are synthesized chemically today. The biological properties of peptides depend on the number of amino acids involved and their position in the chain. The 20 natural

-amino acids are enough to form the basis for an unimaginably large number of peptides, each with their own distinctive physical, chemical and biological properties.

Effects of PeptidesPeptides act as hormones and neuropeptides. They are produced in specialized cells and are made available for quick release by endokrine glands if needed. They have a short half-life in the body and are rapidly broken down to their constituents. Peptides regulate a variety of biological processes and play a key role in many bodily processes. Examples include hunger and satiation, regulation of blood glucose levels, fertility, lactation, blood clotting, circadian rhythm, pain signals and pain relief. Animal toxins are frequently composed of mixes of highly active peptides.

the world of PePtides

10 Bachem Annual Report 2013

Increasing life expectancy and the rising prevalence of lifestyle

diseases promise unabated growth of peptides as a drug class

well into the future.

growth

Laboratories throughout the world are working to discover

and characterize new, hitherto unknown peptides.

gloBal research

Peptides can be produced by chemical synthesis in any specified

quantity for research purposes, as diagnostics and therapeutics.

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11 Bachem Annual Report 2013

newProduct lines Based on PePtides

What are Peptides Used for? Peptides are mainly used as highly active and highly specific drug sub­stances. In keeping with the diversity of their biological functions, they are used in an extensive range of thera­peutic areas. Oncology and diabetes/obesity are prominent examples of therapeutic areas in which peptides generate billions of dollars in rev­enues. Peptides are much in demand in the treatment of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, of renal failure, as antibiotics, in vac­cines and in drugs for rare diseases (orphan drugs).

Available Dosage FormsPeptides taken orally would undergo rapid breakdown in the digestive system and would therefore be unlikely to reach their target organs. Peptide­based drugs are usually administered by the parenteral route for that reason. In addition to conventional injections, implants with durations of action ranging from a matter of days to months and nasally delivered drugs are increas­ingly becoming available. Research and development activities are ongoing on sublingual and transder­mal dosage forms and drug delivery using nanoparticles for transport.

cosmetics

Peptide-based agents are used in top-end personal care products,

for example as ingredients in antiaging products that promise

to reduce wrinkles.

nutrition Products

The artificial sweetener aspartame is a dipeptide that is 200 times

sweeter than table sugar. It is an important agent in diabetology.

cancer theraPies

Peptides are useful in oncology both in diagnostic imaging procedures

and for treatment purposes.

12 Bachem Annual Report 2013

Dr. Fritz DickBachem AG“As former Head of R&D and COO of Bachem AG I say without reservation that I am very proud of our Company. It was an honor to be part of the Bachem Group over the past 28 years. We proved consistently that we deserve to be the number 1 in our field. Bachem offers and finds solu-tions.”

Bachem Pioneer

13 Bachem Annual Report 2013

Pioneering Partner for PePtides

Dr. Rolf NyfelerMember of the Board“Partnering with Bachem allows customers to work with a com-pany that has over 40 years of experience in peptide chemistry and provides access to state-of-the-art production capabilities, as well as to highly motivated teams of competent specialists.”

Bachem Pioneer