Development of the specialized peptide "IL-2 peptide," which has activity equivalent to IL-2, has been completed, and samples became available from 16 October 2026. The product is scheduled to go on sale around December 2026, and the provision of GMP-grade products is also under consideration.
PeptiGrowth Corporation has completed development of the specialized peptide "IL-2 peptide," which has functions similar to IL-2, and began providing samples on 16 October 2026. IL-2 peptide is a heterodimeric cyclic peptide that selectively binds to IL-2Rβ and γc, the IL-2 receptor subunits, and exhibits agonist activity similar to IL-2.
The company was established in 2020 as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and PeptiDream with the aim of promoting the adoption of regenerative medicine and cell therapy. Under a joint development agreement with PeptiDream, it is developing fully chemically synthesizable PG peptides and plans to launch alternative peptides for other growth factors and cytokines, including IL-7, in the future.
To evaluate the function of IL-2 peptide, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated and cultured to examine the peptide's ability to promote and maintain T-cell proliferation. IL-2 peptide showed activity equivalent to recombinant IL-2 at equimolar concentrations through approximately three times that concentration. Additional functional evaluations are currently under way.
The sample product is called IL-2 peptide, is vacuum-dried and must be stored at -20°C or below. It has a purity of at least 95%, a molecular weight of approximately 5507.35, and a quantity of 10µg, and is supplied as a trifluoroacetate salt. A corresponding acetate-salt product is scheduled to go on sale around December 2026, and provision of an ACF certificate may become possible in the future.
Sales and purchase of the product are scheduled to begin around December 2026, and delivery of bulk products and provision of GMP-grade products are also under consideration. Kanto Chemical, Kishida Chemical and Funakoshi are listed as distributors. Further details are available from the company and the distributors.