PeptiGrowth Completes Development and Begins Sales of PDGF-AA Substitute Peptide

PeptiGrowth Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Jun Minamitani; hereinafter referred to as "the Company") has succeeded in developing a special peptide, "PDGF-AA Substitute Peptide [Product Code: PG-014]", which has the same function as Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA, and will commence sales in July 2026.

Background of PG Peptide Development

Growth factors, cytokines, etc., used in the manufacturing of regenerative medicine and cell therapy products, face challenges such as potential variations in quality between manufacturing lots, safety concerns due to contamination with animal-derived components, stability concerns, and high market prices leading to cost issues when used in large quantities.

The Company was established in April 2020 as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and Peptro Dream Inc. with the mission to solve these challenges and contribute to the further dissemination and expansion of regenerative medicine and cell therapy. Since its establishment, based on a joint development agreement with Peptro Dream Inc., the Company has been developing special peptides (PG peptides) that have the same functions as dozens of growth factors and cytokines, and are fully chemically synthesizable.

About PDGF-AA Substitute Peptide [Product Code: PG-014]

➢ Mechanism of PDGF-AA Substitute Peptide's PDGF Receptor $\alpha$ Activation

The PDGF-AA Substitute Peptide (PG-014) is a homodimer peptide composed of cyclic peptides that bind to PDGF receptor $\alpha$ (PDGFR$\\alpha$). Similar to PDGF-AA, it exhibits agonist activity by inducing homodimerization of PDGFR$\\alpha$ (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Conceptual Diagram of PG-014's Mechanism of Action

➢ Signal Activation and Cell Proliferation Activity Similar to Recombinant PDGF-AA

Figure 2 PDGFR$\\alpha$ Phosphorylation Test Results Figure 3 Survival Test Results of Ba/F3 Cells with Constitutive PDGFR$\\alpha$ Expression

A comparative study of the functions of PG-014 and commercially available recombinant PDGF-AA was conducted. As a result, it was confirmed that PG-014 exhibits PDGFR$\\alpha$ phosphorylation ability (Figure 2) and survival rate in the Ba/F3 cell line with constitutive PDGFR$\\alpha$ expression (Figure 3) at lower concentrations (in ng/mL equivalent) compared to PDGF-AA.

➢ Evaluation of Differentiation Induction Ability from Neural Progenitor Cells to Astrocytes

As a further functional evaluation of PG-014, its function was compared with PDGF-AA in the process of inducing differentiation from neural progenitor cells (NPCs) through immature glial-restricted progenitor cells (iGRPs) to astrocytes (Figure 4).

Figure 4 Differentiation Induction Method to Astrocytes

As a result, using PG-014 yielded results equivalent to PDGF-AA in terms of cell proliferation rate up to iGRPs, iGRP surface markers, and astrocyte surface markers, confirming that PG-014 can be used as a substitute for PDGF-AA (Figures 5, 6).

Figure 5 iGRP Proliferation Test Results Figure 6 Evaluation of Differentiation Induction Ability to iGRPs and Astrocytes

This experiment was conducted at Reprocell Inc.

PG-014 is intended for use in the fields of regenerative medicine and cell therapy to promote the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, capillary endothelial cells, etc., and to induce differentiation from neural progenitor cells into astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

➢ Product Overview

Product Code: PG-014

Product Name: PDGF-AA Substitute Peptide

Product Form: Lyophilized product

Storage Conditions: -20°C or below

Purity: 95% or higher (HPLC)

Molecular Weight: 5634.42

Content: 5 μg, 50 μg, 500 μg (content per vial)

* An Animal Component-Free (ACF) certificate can be provided for this product.

* This product is for research use only and cannot be used for any other purpose.

* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

➢ Sales/Purchasing of this Product

Bulk supply is also available for quantities exceeding the above content, so please inquire. Furthermore, GMP grade products can also be provided for the purpose of manufacturing regenerative medicine and cell therapy products. For details, please contact the sales agents below or the Company.

Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.: https://www.kanto.co.jp/

Kishida Chemical Co., Ltd.: https://www.kishida.co.jp/

Funakoshi Co., Ltd.: https://www.funakoshi.co.jp/

To request a free sample, please apply from <here>.

➢ Development Status of PG Peptides at Our Company

The Company is developing substitute peptides for dozens of growth factors and cytokines. To date, a total of 14 products have been released. Development is progressing smoothly, and we plan to launch growth factor/cytokine substitute peptides targeting IL-2, IL-7, etc., in the future. Details will be updated on our website from time to time. If you are interested, please contact us at the inquiry contact below.

《Inquiries Regarding This Release》

PeptiGrowth Inc.

Website: https://www.peptigrowth.com/

TEL: 070-7789-3905

E-mail: contact@peptigrowth.com