Intestinal Trefoil Factor (ITF)

Intestinal Trefoil Factor (also known as TFF3) is an endogenous peptide, which promotes mucosal restitution and repair. There is strong mechanistic understanding, proven biology and compelling efficacy data on ITF in numerous in-vivo models of mucosal damage.

The program is in early clinical development for the treatment of chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced mucositis, ulcerative colitis and NSAID-induced ulcers.

Key Attributes of Intestinal Trefoil Factor:

  • Produced by goblet, serous and epithelial cells on mucosal surfaces

  • Promotes epithelial detachment and migration to effect rapid wound closure

  • Interacts with mucins to form a protective layer on the mucosa

  • Has no intrinsic proliferative activity


Therapeutic Opportunities for ITF

The unique actions of ITF on a variety of epithelium offer multiple therapeutic opportunities for development:

Gastrointestinal (GI) Indications:

  • Oral Mucositis
  • Enteritis/Proctitis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Oral lesions
  • Erosive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
  • Peptic Ulcer disease and Erosive Gastritis

Ophthalmic Indications:

  • Dry Eye Syndrome
  • Post-Surgical and Corneal Injury

Other Indications:

  • Orthopaedic
  • Dermal
  • Nasal and Pulmonary inflammatory lesions
  • Urogenital


ITF is found primarily in mucosal surfaces, for example

the small intestine:

and the eye:


(ITF shown in green)

(ITF shown in red)


The ability of ITF to promote cell migration is shown below:

Control: No ITF treatment After ITF Treatment: Cell migration is promoted


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