Category · 15 entries
Healing & Recovery
Peptides studied for tissue repair and recovery.
ARA-290
An 11-amino-acid EPO-derived peptide studied for neuropathic pain and tissue protection, without the red-cell-stimulating effects of full erythropoietin.
BPC-157
A synthetic pentadecapeptide from gastric protein, widely studied in animal models for tendon, ligament, and gastrointestinal healing.
FK-13
The 13-residue FKRIVQRIKDFLR central fragment of LL-37 — the smallest LL-37 fragment that retains broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity while losing much of the parent peptide's cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells. Research-only; no clinical development program.
GHK-Cu
A naturally occurring human tripeptide-copper complex with extensive topical cosmetic evidence and strong in-vitro data on collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory signaling.
KPV
A tripeptide derived from α-MSH with potent anti-inflammatory activity — studied in preclinical models of IBD, psoriasis, and acne.
KR-12
KRIVQRIKDFLR — the minimal 12-residue bactericidal fragment of LL-37. Retains selective antimicrobial activity while losing LL-37's host-cell toxicity, making it the canonical template for LL-37-derived antimicrobial peptide drug discovery. Research-only.
Larazotide
A zonulin antagonist — the most clinically advanced "leaky gut" candidate, with positive Phase 2b data in celiac disease but a failed Phase 3 trial readout in 2022.
Linaclotide
Linzess — a GC-C agonist peptide (Ironwood / AbbVie / Astellas) FDA-approved in August 2012 for IBS-C and chronic idiopathic constipation in adults, with a 2023 pediatric expansion for functional constipation in children 6–17. First-in-class oral peptide that works luminally on intestinal GC-C receptors to stimulate chloride and bicarbonate secretion, accelerate transit, and reduce visceral pain.
LL-37
The only human cathelicidin — an antimicrobial peptide with direct activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and biofilms, with additional roles in wound healing and immune signaling.
Omiganan
An indolicidin-derived cationic antimicrobial peptide (Micrologix / BioWest / Cutanea Life Sciences / Cellect Biotechnology / Maruho) developed across roughly two decades for several dermatologic and catheter-prevention indications. Failed its pivotal Phase 3 for central venous catheter exit-site infection prevention (2002), then pivoted to rosacea where it also failed Phase 3 (2015). Not FDA-approved.
Pexiganan
A Xenopus-magainin-derived antimicrobial peptide (Locilex; Dipexium Pharmaceuticals / later acquired by PLx Pharma) developed for topical treatment of mildly infected diabetic foot ulcers. Twice rejected by the FDA — once in 1999 (Magainin Pharmaceuticals) and again in 2017 (Dipexium) after the OneStep-1 and OneStep-2 Phase 3 trials failed to show superiority over placebo cream. Instructive regulatory case study in antimicrobial peptide drug development.
Plecanatide
Trulance — a GC-C agonist peptide (originally Synergy Pharmaceuticals, now Salix / Bausch Health) FDA-approved January 2017 for CIC and January 2018 for IBS-C. Modeled on uroguanylin (the more pH-sensitive of the two endogenous GC-C ligands), which its developers proposed gives it a more physiologic region-specific activity profile than linaclotide.
TB-500
A synthetic fragment of thymosin β4 studied in animal models for actin-binding-mediated tissue repair, particularly in cardiac and soft-tissue injury.
Teriparatide
The FDA-approved anabolic osteoporosis drug (Forteo, 2002; Bonsity biosimilar 2019) — the recombinant N-terminal PTH fragment (PTH 1-34) that builds bone rather than slowing resorption. Daily subcutaneous injection; 2-year lifetime-exposure limit.
Thymosin β4
The natural 44-amino-acid parent of the TB-500 research peptide — in clinical trials (as RGN-259/Lacripep) for dry eye disease, corneal wounds, and dermal healing.