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535-0310-00L 1 Credits BSC , MSC D-HEST , D-CHAB

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Glycobiology in Drug Development

Lecturers & Examiners: PD Dr. Vivianne Irene Otto

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:29:03

Abstract

Protein-based drugs constitute around 25% of new approvals and most of them are glycoproteins. Using selected examples of prominent glycoprotein drugs, the course aims at providing insight into glycosylation-activity relationships and into biotechnological production and analytics.

Objective

Students gain basic knowledge in "pharmaceutical glycobiology". This implies knowing and understanding: - major mechanisms underlying the roles of glycosylation for the biological/therapeutic actions of glycoproteins (glycosylation-function relationships) using prominent examples of glycoprotein drugs. - the major types of protein-linked glycans and the biosynthetic pathways for their formation - how glycoprotein drugs are produced (including the most important expression systems used), glycoengineered and analysed (quality control). Students are able to apply this knowledge in solving simple problems in glycoprotein drug development (on paper). Students gain the ability to reflect on roles of glycosylation in various biological contexts.

Content

lecture plan: 1. Glycans - information carriers in biology and pharmacotherapy 2. Glucocerebrosidase and the biosynthesis of N-glycans 3. Improving the therapeutic profile of monoclonal antibodies by glycoengineering 4. Mucin-type O-glycans and sialylation as gCQA of glycoprotein hormone drugs 5. gCQA analysis of glycoprotein hormone drugs (sialylated glycoproteins) 6. EPO "the same but different"

Resources

Lecture Notes

The slides used for the lectures will be provided online

Literature

- Essentials of Glycobiology 4th edition, A. Varki, R.D. Cummings et al., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York 2022. - recent publications as cited/proposed on the lecture slides

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

A statement or question regarding the main topics of the course needs to be discussed / answered in the form of an essay (700-1000 words written in English, German, French or Italian). Sources other than the lecture slides used (including chatGPT) need to be referenced. The assay will be reviewed and graded.At a later time point to be agreed upon by lecturer and students, the essays and their contents will be discussed.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Glycobiology in Drug Development	Wed 13:45-15:30 (HIT F 31.2)	1 h weekly