PeptideTrace
Research CompoundModified IGF-1 Analogue (Unregulated)

IGF-1 LR3

Long-Arg3-IGF-1, Long R3 IGF-1

D

Evidence Grade D — Primarily preclinical. 10 published studies, mostly animal models. 0 registered clinical trials.

10 studiesUSEUCA

Overview

IGF-1 LR3 is a modified version of insulin-like growth factor 1, specifically engineered to bypass the body's natural regulation system. It was developed as a laboratory research tool and cell culture supplement — not as a therapeutic. By evading the binding proteins that normally control IGF-1 activity, it is significantly more potent and less predictable than natural IGF-1. It has no approval for human use.

Research Activity

10studies
Human 2
Animal 8
In-vitro 4

10 published studies: 2 human, 8 animal, 4 in-vitro, 0 reviews

Regulatory Status

US
Not approved by FDA(FDA)
EU
Not authorised by EMA(EMA)
CA
Not approved by Health Canada(Health Canada)

Legal Status

USNot applicable (not approved)
EUNot applicable (not authorised)
CANot applicable (not approved)

Summary

IGF-1 LR3 has no marketing authorisation for human use. It was developed as a research reagent and cell culture media supplement. No human clinical trials have been conducted. Animal studies characterised its increased potency relative to native IGF-1.

The compound's design specifically circumvents the body's natural IGF-1 regulation — the binding proteins that normally control IGF-1 activity. This means standard IGF-1 safety data cannot be extrapolated to LR3. Products available through unregulated channels lack pharmaceutical quality assurance. Unregulated IGF-1 receptor activation carries theoretical risks including hypoglycaemia.

Mechanism of Action

Research indicates IGF-1 LR3 activates the IGF-1 receptor with the same potency as native IGF-1, but its modifications prevent it from being captured by the binding proteins that normally regulate IGF-1 activity in the body. This means a much higher proportion remains biologically active. The modifications that make it a useful laboratory tool also make it pharmacologically unpredictable for human use — it bypasses the body's normal IGF-1 regulatory mechanisms.

Research Summary

Research in animal models shows IGF-1 LR3 causes significant organ effects — gut weight increased by up to 45% in one study — and promoted tumour growth in tumour-bearing rats. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway it activates is strongly linked to cancer biology. No human pharmacokinetic data, clinical trials, or long-term safety data exist. The compound was designed as a cell culture reagent, and its pharmacological profile reflects this origin — it bypasses the body's normal IGF-1 regulatory mechanisms in ways that create unpredictable effects. Products from unregulated channels lack pharmaceutical quality assurance.

Clinical Trials

No trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov for this compound.

The information on this page is provided for educational and research reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.

Related Compounds

Somatropin

Approved
Recombinant Human Growth Hormone

Somatropin has been available since the mid-1980s and is one of the most established peptide therapies. It is sold under numerous brand names including Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, and Omnitrope (the first biosimilar approved in the US, 2006). Approved indications include childhood and adult growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, children born small for gestational age, Prader-Willi syndrome, idiopathic short stature, and short stature from chronic kidney disease. Daily injection has been the main burden of somatropin therapy, particularly for paediatric patients who may require years of treatment. This has driven the development of once-weekly alternatives (somatrogon and somapacitan), which are gradually changing the treatment landscape. Annual treatment costs remain substantial, and concerns about misuse in anti-ageing and performance enhancement contexts are ongoing.

Tesamorelin

Approved
GHRH Analogue

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Somatrogon

Approved
Long-Acting Growth Hormone

Somatrogon is marketed as Ngenla (approved June 2023) for paediatric growth hormone deficiency in children aged 3 years and older. In the pivotal trial, once-weekly somatrogon produced growth rates equivalent to daily somatropin injections (10.1 cm/year versus 9.8 cm/year), confirming that reducing injection frequency does not compromise growth outcomes. Ngenla represents a meaningful advance for paediatric patients and their families, reducing injections from 365 to 52 per year. Treatment adherence has been a persistent challenge with daily growth hormone, and weekly dosing is expected to improve long-term outcomes through better compliance. Somatrogon competes directly with somapacitan (Sogroya), the other approved weekly growth hormone, creating a new generation of less burdensome treatment options.