Dextran Applications
As a non-toxic and biocompatible carbohydrate, dextran is widely used in research and production within the pharmaceutical, biomedical, animal health and life science industries. Dextrans are essential in diverse applications such as vaccines, cryopreservation, ophthalmic preparations, drug delivery, blood volume expansion, cell culture, and diagnostics. Additionally, they enhance biocompatibility in medical devices and act as binders and emulsifiers in industrial processes.
Animal health applications
In the formulation and delivery of vaccines for animals, dextrans can be used as stabilizers or adjuvants, or they can be modified to improve stability and immunogenicity.
Blood cell separation
Our high quality dextrans can be used in the process of separating red blood cells from other cells and components in blood.
Blood volume expander
Our high quality dextrans are used as blood volume expanders and as a means of providing parenteral (intravenous) nutrition.
Cancer therapies
Dextran is a versatile agent used in cancer therapies to enhance drug delivery systems, improving targeted delivery. It can also be utilised for cell separation and can enhance antibody-drug conjugates for precise treatment, making it a valuable tool in modern cancer therapies.
Cell culture media
As a supplement or additive, dextran can enhance the performance of cell culture systems and is often added to the media to improve cell viability, growth and productivity.
Cell therapies
Dextran is used in cell therapies for cryoprotection, cell surface modification, drug delivery, and preventing cell clumping, enhancing overall cell viability and processing.
Cryopreservation
Dextrans can be used as a cryoprotectant for cell lines, stem cell preparations, biological samples and more. Our high quality dextrans for cryopreservation are sold under the brand name Pentahibe® (pentaisomaltose).
Drug delivery
Dextran is a carbohydrate that can act as a safe and effective drug delivery mechanism.
Eye applications
Dextran is used in eye drops and other ophthalmic solutions thanks to its lubricating nature and its ability to add stability and viscosity to formulations.
Gel permeation chromatography
Often used to measure the molecular weight of various samples in research, dextran can also be used as a matrix or support material in chromatography columns.
Lyophilization
High quality dextrans can be used as stabilizers during lyophilization (freeze-drying).
Medical devices
Thanks to its unique properties, dextran can be used as a component in medical devices to enhance performance and biocompatibility.
Oral applications
Our high quality dextrans are used widely to add solidity to oral pharmaceuticals and therapeutics.
Organ preservation
Our high quality dextrans are used widely in the storage and preparation of organs for transplantation.
Protein stabilization
World-leading, high quality dextrans for use as protein stabilizers in freeze-drying and other applications.
Research
Dextran is a valuable tool due to its versatility and biocompatibility.
Vaccines
Dextran can be part of vaccines as a carrier, a back-bone and/or as a stabilizer of the antigen or other subunits. Derivatives of dextran such as DEAE-dextran are commonly used.
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