Presenting Two Posters at the 96th Meeting of the Japanese Society of Enzyme Engineering

Gel Coat Biomaterials, Inc. will present two posters on enzyme stabilization technologies at the 96th Meeting of the Japanese Society of Enzyme Engineering, to be held on November 20, 2026, at the Education and Culture Hall of Yokohama National University.

Gel Coat Biomaterials, Inc. is developing technologies to improve the stability of biomolecules, including enzymes and proteins, using MPC-based functional polymers.

At the meeting, we will present research findings on two topics: “Freeze–Thaw Stabilization of Enzymes Using the Functional Polymer Additive” and “Improving Lipase Organic Solvent

Tolerance by Simple Mixing with a Zwitterionic Polymer.”

1^st Topic: Freeze–Thaw Stabilization of Enzymes Using the Functional Polymer Additive

The first poster presentation will introduce our research on improving enzyme stability during freeze–thaw cycles using our unique functional polymer additive.

Loss of enzymatic activity during freezing and thawing is one of the key challenges in enzyme storage and handling. Maintaining enzyme activity is particularly important when repeated freeze–thaw cycles occur during storage, transportation, or manufacturing processes.

In this study, we investigated an approach to maintaining enzymatic activity after freeze–thaw cycles by adding GCB’s functional polymer, without modifying the enzyme itself.

Through this functional polymer-based stabilization approach, we aim to address challenges associated with enzyme storage and handling and explore potential applications in pharmaceutical manufacturing and other industrial fields.

2^nd Topic: Improving Lipase Organic Solvent Tolerance by Simple Mixing with a Zwitterionic Polymer

The second poster presentation will introduce our research on maintaining enzyme activity in organic solvents.

Enzymes are widely used in organic synthesis and other fields because of their high reaction selectivity. However, deactivation in organic solvents remains a major challenge.

In this study, we evaluated organic solvent tolerance using a simple mixing approach in which a zwitterionic polymer with excellent hydration properties based on GCB’s polymer design was mixed with Lipase, a model enzyme, in an aqueous solution.

The results showed a substantial improvement in organic solvent tolerance without compromising the initial enzymatic activity. The polymer also demonstrated superior activity-retention performance compared with conventional protective agents, indicating its potential as a simple approach for improving the efficiency of non-aqueous biocatalytic processes.

Through these presentations, we aim to expand opportunities for joint research and technology evaluation with universities and research institutions in the field of enzyme engineering, while also creating new opportunities for collaboration with companies facing challenges related to enzyme stability during storage, transportation, and manufacturing, as well as enzyme use in organic solvents.

■ About the 96th Meeting of the Japanese Society of Enzyme Engineering

The 96th Meeting of the Japanese Society of Enzyme Engineering brings together researchers and engineers in the field of enzyme engineering to share research findings through lectures and poster presentations, covering a wide range of topics from basic research to applied and industrial uses of enzymes.

■ Event Overview

・Event: 96th Meeting of the Japanese Society of Enzyme Engineering

・Date: November 20, 2026

・Venue: “Education and Culture Hall at Yokohama National University

・Presentation Format: Poster presentations