Sprifermin: A Cartilage Repair Treatment
Sprifermin is a lab-made protein being tested to actually rebuild the cartilage in your knee—not just mask the pain like current treatments do. When your knee cartilage wears down from osteoarthritis, you're stuck with painkillers and injections that only make you feel better temporarily. Sprifermin is designed to reverse the damage itself.
Here's how your body responds to it: Your knee cartilage is maintained by specialized cells called chondrocytes that constantly produce the material that keeps cartilage smooth and cushioned. Over time, these cells get sluggish and stop doing their job. When you inject sprifermin directly into your knee joint, it acts like a wake-up call to these sleeping cells. The protein binds to receptors on the chondrocytes and tells them to multiply and get back to work producing fresh cartilage material—the same proteins and fibers that healthy cartilage needs. Since the injection goes straight into your knee rather than through your bloodstream, the treatment stays focused right where you need it. Clinical trials have actually shown cartilage getting thicker on MRI scans, which is remarkable because no other medication has ever managed that before. It's the difference between patching a pothole versus rebuilding the road.
Dosage Information
Typical Dose
30-100 mcg intra-articular injection
Frequency
Weekly for 3 weeks per course, repeated at 6-12 month intervals (trial protocol)
Administration
Intra-articular injection by physician
Half-Life
1–2 hours
Notes
Phase 3 clinical trial compound — not commercially available. Requires physician administration. This entry documents sprifermin as the most advanced cartilage regeneration peptide in clinical development.
Why this matters
Intra-articular injection with local action; systemic half-life is short.
Protocol cycle
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Evidence Score
0.46
Potential Side Effects
Sprifermin discussions
Quick Facts
- Administration
- Intra-articular injection by physician
- Typical Dose
- 30-100 mcg intra-articular injection
- Frequency
- Weekly for 3 weeks per course, repeated at 6-12 month intervals (trial protocol)
- References
- 0 curated + 6 from PubMed
- Clinical Trials
- 3 registered
- Evidence Score
- 0.5 / 100
Frequently Asked Questions about Sprifermin
What is Sprifermin?
Sprifermin is a recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18 (rhFGF-18) in Phase 3 clinical trials for knee osteoarthritis. It is the most advanced disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug in clinical development and has demonstrated in Phase 2 trials the first pharmacological agent to increase cartilage thickness measured by MRI in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Sprifermin represents a potential paradigm shift in OA treatment — from symptom management to actual cartilage regeneration.
How does Sprifermin work?
FGF-18 is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family that acts as a potent mitogen and differentiator for chondrocytes — the cells responsible for cartilage production and maintenance. By binding to FGFR3 on chondrocytes sprifermin stimulates chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation promoting the synthesis of cartilage matrix proteins including type II collagen and aggrecan. Phase 2 trial data showed statistically significant increases in total femorotibial cartilage thickness at 3-year follow-up compared to placebo — the first time cartilage regrowth has been demonstrated pharmacologically in osteoarthritis. The intra-articular injection route delivers the growth factor directly to the joint space maximizing local concentration while minimizing systemic effects.
What is the recommended dosage for Sprifermin?
The typical dose is 30-100 mcg intra-articular injection. Weekly for 3 weeks per course, repeated at 6-12 month intervals (trial protocol). Administration: Intra-articular injection by physician. Phase 3 clinical trial compound — not commercially available. Requires physician administration. This entry documents sprifermin as the most advanced cartilage regeneration peptide in clinical development.
What are the side effects of Sprifermin?
Injection site reactions (common). Joint swelling and effusion (common, transient). Arthralgia (uncommon). Generally well tolerated in trials
What is the Sprifermin cycle protocol?
Sprifermin is typically cycled 3 weeks on and 6-12 months off. Phase 3 trial protocol, physician-administered intra-articular
Questions reflect common community inquiries. This is not medical advice.