Controlled photochemical depolymerization of K5 heparosan, a bioengineered heparin precursor

- Heparosan produced from Escherichia coli is a precursor of bioengineered heparin.
- Control of heparosan molecular weight is critical to produce a generic version of heparin.
- Photochemical depolymerization of heparosan using titanium dioxide is possible.
- Controlled depolymerization can afford heparosan of appropriate molecular weight to prepare bioengineered heparin.
- Controlled depolymerization does not alter the structure of the heparosan backbone.