Background
Collagen‑Related Peptides (CRPs) are widely used GPVI agonists in platelet research, yet their performance can vary depending on formulation, solubility, and handling requirements. A UK‑based research group reported persistent challenges with CRP stability and preparation, prompting an evaluation of alternative GPVI agonists. This case study summarises their experience transitioning from a conventional CRP to CRP‑A and the resulting impact on assay reproducibility, workflow efficiency, and user confidence.
Challenges With Conventional Collagen‑Related Peptides
Solubility and Handling Issues
During routine platelet activation experiments, the group observed that their previous CRP frequently precipitated during serial dilutions. The peptide required continuous vortexing — during preparation, dispensing, and sometimes even between samples — to maintain solubility. This behaviour was unpredictable and difficult to control, particularly when processing large batches of time‑sensitive samples.
Impact on Experimental Reproducibility
The instability of the reagent introduced substantial variability between donors, even at maximal concentrations. Flow cytometry often produced inconsistent data unsuitable for publication, with no clear mechanistic explanation for the poor quality. For less experienced researchers, the steep learning curve associated with CRP preparation increased the likelihood of technical error and reduced confidence in the assay.
Consequences for Workflow and Training
The group’s response to these challenges was fragmented. Some researchers avoided CRPs entirely and switched to alternative GPVI agonists such as convulxin, while others continued using CRPs after developing personal preparation strategies. This divergence created methodological inconsistency, hindered standardisation, and complicated the training of new laboratory members.
Transition to CRP‑A
Rationale for Evaluation
CRP‑A was first encountered at EUPLAN 2023, where preliminary data indicated comparable platelet aggregation and flow cytometry responses to other CRPs, with effective concentrations in the low µg/mL range. The reagent was also approximately 30% more cost‑effective, prompting the group to trial it as a potential replacement.
Initial Testing
Following rapid delivery, CRP‑A was reconstituted in acetic acid and evaluated in standard platelet aggregation and flow cytometry assays. Activation profiles were consistent with those obtained using the previous CRP. However, the key differentiator was solubility: CRP‑A remained in solution throughout preparation and use, eliminating the need for continuous vortexing.
Outcomes
Improved Stability and Ease of Use
CRP‑A’s ability to remain in solution under routine laboratory conditions removed a major source of stress and uncertainty from assay preparation. Researchers no longer needed to interrupt workflows to re‑vortex samples, reducing the risk of timing‑related artefacts.
Enhanced Reproducibility
The group reported markedly improved consistency between donors and between reagent lots. The simplified preparation protocol reduced operator‑dependent variability, leading to more reliable aggregation and flow cytometry data.
Standardisation Across the Research Team
Because CRP‑A required no specialised handling techniques, all members of the group — including new trainees — were able to prepare the reagent confidently. This facilitated methodological alignment across the team and improved the overall quality and comparability of experimental results.
Conclusion
The transition from a conventional Collagen‑Related Peptide to CRP‑A significantly improved the reproducibility, stability, and usability of GPVI‑mediated platelet activation assays within this research group. CRP‑A’s enhanced solubility profile eliminated a major source of technical variability, enabling standardised workflows and more reliable data generation. Its cost advantage further strengthened its suitability as a long‑term replacement for traditional CRPs.
We are thrilled to announce that Pplus Medical is an official exhibitor at the ISTH 2026 Congress, taking place in the beautiful city of Paris from July 11–15.
The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) represents the pinnacle of global collaboration in our field. As a company dedicated to advancing regenerative medicine and platelet technology, we are proud to support a forum that brings together the world’s leading experts.
Will you be in Paris this July? Come and see us at our booth!
ICTHIC – International Conference on Thrombosis and Hemostasis Issues in Cancer
Pplus Medical Limited is pleased to be attending this year’s meeting in Bergamo, Italy, taking place 17–19 April.
This important event brings together leading clinicians, researchers, and innovators working at the intersection of cancer and coagulation—areas in which our pioneering products have become valuable tools supporting life‑saving research and clinical progress.
If you’ll be there, feel free to reach out. We would welcome the opportunity to connect, discuss our latest developments, and share more about our platelet‑focused products and technologies.
Looking forward to productive conversations and to meeting both new and familiar faces in Bergamo.
While developing another product, we needed a highly potent, non‑human and non‑animal derived platelet activator that could deliver exceptional consistency and high potency.
That requirement narrowed down our choices dramatically. The Collagen Related Peptides available on the market came with challenges we couldn’t overlook such as : inconsistent batch‑to‑batch performance, frequent vortexing after reconstitution and stability issues that disrupted experiments
For our own research, these limitations weren’t just inconvenient, they simply were impossible to overlook in the products we were developing. So we made a decision that would change far more than we expected: we developed our own Collagen Related Peptide.
What we didn’t realise at the time was that this internal solution would resonate with so many scientists worldwide who were facing similar challenges.
That solution became CRP‑A. CRP‑A is a next‑generation, GPVI‑specific Collagen Related Peptide designed for reliability, potency, and stability. What began as a fix for our own challenge quickly grew into a product now used by thousands of researchers across the globe. Its performance and consistency continue to earn outstanding feedback from platelet biology labs, assay developers, and research teams internationally.
If you’d like to evaluate CRP‑A in your own work, feel free to reach out at Sales@pplusmedical.com and to learn more about CRP-A, please visit: https://lnkd.in/ekuEXfFc
Years ago, I shared my idea with a Professor and asked her for help. She laughed and said:
“If people like me haven’t done this yet, what makes you think you can?”
What she didn’t know was that her rejection lit my fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Today, that idea is a real product used by scientists across four continents 💪
It’s been a journey of relentless hard work, belief, and the support of an incredible team and amazing partners like RTR Electronics Ltd in 🇮🇪 Ireland.
As we keep growing and bigger orders continue to come in, it was a truly proud moment to see our production team assembling and boxing up more devices, prepared for global shipping 📦 ✈️.
To every Entrepreneur out there:
Don’t see rejection as the end! ❌ See it as the fuel to ignite your fire 🔥
We are thrilled to announce that both our pioneering Platelet Digital Storage Device (DSD) and CRP-A (Collagen Related Peptide A) will be presented at the ISTH 2025 Congress in Washington, D.C next month. Two prestigious universities from the United States and Australia will present our innovations, highlighting their potential to shape the future of platelet storage and function testing.
We are incredibly proud to see our technologies at the forefront of global thrombosis and hemostasis research, and we’re looking forward to connecting with pioneers, researchers, and innovators from around the world.
If you’d like to arrange a demonstration or a brief meeting with our representative, please contact us at Sales@pplusmedical.com or Harry@pplusmedical.com, either before or during the event.
