On March 4, 2026, Fujifilm Biotechnologies introduced ShunzymeX, a precision purification technology designed to streamline downstream processing for complex biologics. Developed in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh since 2019, this proprietary tool aims to simplify the often cumbersome stages of protein purification.
The technology leverages a novel protease and an affinity tag system. By attaching a tag to the protein, manufacturers can use off-the-shelf affinity resins for purification. Once the process is complete, the protease cleaves the tag without leaving a “scar” on the native protein structure. ShunzymeX addresses inherent industry challenges, such as long development timelines and low yields caused by the high variability of microbial-expressed proteins.
Fujifilm claims that ShunzymeX is compatible with various expression systems and can scale directly to current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. This allows customers to reach Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling milestones more rapidly. Furthermore, the technology can be paired with Fujifilm’s SymphonX—a fully automated, all-in-one downstream equipment design—to further enhance manufacturing efficiency and customization.