PeptiGrowth Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Junichiro Ishizuka) has successfully developed a novel synthetic peptide called "KGF alternative- peptide (FGFR2b agonist)" which is functionally equivalent to recombinant keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). This product will be on the market beginning April 2025.

Development of Synthetic Peptide Growth Factors by PeptiGrowth
Conventional growth factors and cytokines used in the manufacturing of regenerative medicine and cell therapy products face various quality challenges such as lot-to-lot variation, potential contamination with biological impurities, low stability, and high cost. PeptiGrowth has been working on the development of a series of synthetic peptides that can address these challenges while maintaining equivalent function to the conventional growth factors and cytokines on the market. Our peptides are completely chemically synthesized and animal component-free, enabling xeno-free and chemically defined cell culture media.

About KGF alternative peptide (FGFR2b agonist) [Product code: PG-012]

• Mechanism of activating FGFR2b by the KGF alternative peptide (PG-012)
  

PG-012, KGF alternative peptide, is a dimeric peptide composed of cyclic peptides designed to bind specifically to FGFR2b. Like KGF, PG-012 effectively interacts with FGFR2b and exhibits agonistic activity against FGFR2b (see diagram below).

• Comparable signal activation activity to recombinant KGF

We conducted a comparative study on the functions of KGF alternative peptide (PG-012) and commercially available recombinant KGF using FGFR2b-overexpressing BaF3 cells. We confirmed that the KGF alternative peptide activates ERK (upper left figure) and exhibits proliferation activity (upper right figure) in a manner similar to recombinant KGF at lower concentrations (ng/mL basis).

We anticipate that the KGF alternative peptide (PG-012) will be applicable in regenerative medicine and cell therapy, particularly in applications such as differentiation and proliferation of epidermal cells and cells derived from the endoderm, such as alveolar epithelial cells, islet cells, and hepatocytes, from pluripotent stem cells.