Glytech

About Glytech

GlyTech, Inc. is a Kyoto-based biotechnology firm founded in April 2012, specializing in glycoscience. The company's core mission is to enable the practical use of glycans—complex carbohydrates—in therapeutic applications. GlyTech's founding technologies originated from research at Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd. and a partnership with Professor Yasuhiro Kajihara of Osaka University. The President and CEO is Hiroaki Asai.

The company has developed platform technologies for the large-scale production of high-purity, human-type glycans and their precise attachment to various drug molecules. This process, known as glycosylation, can enhance a drug's properties, such as increasing biological activity, extending half-life, and improving solubility. A unique aspect of GlyTech's methodology is the ability to extract glycan skeletons from natural sources, like chicken eggs, and then modify them to create a diverse library of structures for drug development.

GlyTech's business model is centered on providing services and products across all stages of drug development, from research to commercial manufacturing. It operates on a fee-for-service basis and engages in collaborations and partnerships with life-science companies, research institutes, and universities. Its client services include contract research for drug discovery, custom synthesis of glycopeptides, contract API manufacturing, and analysis services. The company serves a broad market, including developers of biotherapeutics, antibodies, and drug delivery systems (DDS).

Over its history, GlyTech has secured significant funding to support its growth. The company has raised a total of $9.14 million over two funding rounds. A Series A round in May 2018 was led by investors including Nippon Shokubai and Fushimi Pharmaceutica, and a Series B round occurred in January 2022. This capital has supported the company's efforts to scale its production and expand its research and development capabilities.