Palifermin: AMJ 9701, KGF-Amgen, recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor, rHu-KGF

Amgen is developing a recombinant human form of keratinocyte growth factor (rHu-KGF) called palifermin [AMJ 9701]. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF, fibroblast growth factor 7, FGF-7) is a form of an endogenous epithelial tissue growth factor that stimulates the growth of cells on the surface of the gastrointestinal tract. Palifermin is being developed for oral mucositis (stomatitis), for which it is undergoing review by the US FDA.At BioSquare-2004, Biovitrum stated that it has entered into an agreement with Amgen, under which Biovitrium has co-promotion rights to palifermin in Nordic countries, including Scandinavia and Iceland. Amgen also plans to investigate the efficacy and safety of palifermin in patients with oral mucositis associated with other forms of chemotherapy. Amgen has stated that palifermin is also undergoing phase II trials in patients with solid tumours.