This page compares what is documented about IGF-1 DES and IGF-1 LR3, rather than ranking them by effect. What each molecule is, the sizes and prices actually carried, what the certificate covers, and how the two differ on the bench. Everything here is research-use-only material and we do not publish outcome, dosing or administration content for any compound in the catalogue.
What is IGF-1 DES and what is IGF-1 LR3?
IGF-1 DES. IGF-1 DES(1-3) is IGF-1 with the first three N-terminal residues removed, a change that alters how the molecule interacts with its binding proteins relative to the full-length sequence.
IGF-1 LR3. IGF-1 LR3 is an analogue of insulin-like growth factor 1 carrying an extended N-terminus and a substitution at position 3, a pairing that reduces its affinity for the binding proteins that otherwise dominate IGF-1 behaviour in solution.
How do IGF-1 DES and IGF-1 LR3 compare on price and size?
| IGF-1 DES | IGF-1 LR3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes carried | 2 mg | 0.1 mg, 1 mg |
| From | $75.00 | $65.00 |
| Best price per unit | $37.50 / mg | $95.00 / mg |
| Availability | Backordered — waitlist | Backordered — waitlist |
| Certificate | Lot certificate on the product page | Lot certificate on the product page |
| Molecular formula | — | — |
| Molar mass | — | — |
| Source | — | — |
| Research area | growth factor signalling | growth factor signalling |
At their best sizes IGF-1 DES works out at $37.50 per mg against $95.00 for IGF-1 LR3 — 2.5 times more for the mg. Vial prices start at $75.00 and $65.00 respectively, which is the number most people compare and the one that says least, because the two are not sold in the same sizes. Full sizes, tier pricing and the lot certificate sit on the IGF-1 DES page and the IGF-1 LR3 page.
What is each one studied for?
What the published literature investigates, which is a different question from what either will do, and the only one of the two a supplier can answer.
IGF-1 DES is studied in growth factor signalling research. Truncation variants are a standard tool for separating receptor effects from binding-protein effects, which keeps them in steady use in the primary literature.
IGF-1 LR3 is studied in growth factor signalling research. Growth factor signalling remains one of the most heavily published areas in cell biology, and analogue design is where much of the current method work sits.
Studied in the same area does not make two compounds interchangeable, and the research library holds the per-compound documentation.
IGF-1 LR3 vs IGF-1 DES: how they differ on the bench
IGF-1 LR3. Binding-protein affinity is the whole reason this analogue exists, so anything that alters the protein in solution alters the experiment. Sealed, desiccated and dark is the baseline; our storage guide covers why water is the first variable to control.
IGF-1 DES. A three-residue difference from a well-known parent sequence is exactly the case where identity confirmation earns its keep, because the two are trivially confusable on a label and not at all on a mass spectrum.
What actually differs between IGF-1 LR3 and IGF-1 DES
Molar mass is not published for both of these, so the mass-to-amount conversion below is left undone rather than estimated. Where a formula and a molecular weight exist they are in the table above, carried with the PubChem record they came from; where they are not, the lot certificate is the document that settles what the material is.
Identity is the other analytical axis, and it is settled per lot rather than per compound. IGF-1 DES. IGF-1 DES is des(1-3)IGF-1, the IGF-1 sequence missing its first three residues. UniProt P05019 is the parent protein for reference; the truncated analogue has its own mass, which the lot certificate reports. IGF-1 LR3. IGF-1 LR3 is an ANALOGUE of IGF-1, not IGF-1 itself: an arginine substitution at position 3 plus a 13-residue N-terminal extension. UniProt P05019 is the parent protein for reference; the analogue has its own mass, which the lot certificate reports.
Both are released against a certificate reporting identity, purity by the stated method and net peptide content, readable before anything is bought.
Which is better, IGF-1 LR3 or IGF-1 DES?
Neither IGF-1 LR3 nor IGF-1 DES is ranked against the other here, and the refusal is deliberate. Better, safer and stronger are questions about effects in a living system, and we sell neither compound for use in one — why none of these pages ranks two compounds sets out the reasoning in full.
What it does instead, for these two:
- IGF-1 DES is the cheaper of the two per mg, at $37.50 against $95.00.
- IGF-1 DES is carried in 1 size and IGF-1 LR3 in 2, and each lot carries its own certificate.
Every one of those is checkable before you buy.
Common questions
What is the difference between IGF-1 LR3 and IGF-1 DES?
IGF-1 LR3 is an analogue of insulin-like growth factor 1 carrying an extended N-terminus and a substitution at position 3, a pairing that reduces its affinity for the binding proteins that otherwise dominate IGF-1 behaviour in solution. IGF-1 DES(1-3) is IGF-1 with the first three N-terminal residues removed, a change that alters how the molecule interacts with its binding proteins relative to the full-length sequence.
Which one should I choose?
IGF-1 DES is carried in 2 mg and IGF-1 LR3 in 0.1 mg, 1 mg, each lot with its own certificate. Which of those suits the work is yours to decide; everything here is research-use-only rather than guidance for use in a human or an animal.
Do both IGF-1 DES and IGF-1 LR3 come with a certificate of analysis?
Neither is in stock at the moment, so in each case the certificate is the one attached to the lot that arrives. A certificate belongs to a lot, not to a product. It is linked from the product page, and reports identity, purity by the stated method, and net peptide content for the material actually in that lot.
Which is cheaper, IGF-1 LR3 or IGF-1 DES?
Per mg, IGF-1 DES at $37.50 against $95.00, taking each one's best size. By vial they start at $75.00 for IGF-1 DES and $65.00 for IGF-1 LR3, which is the comparison most people make and the one that says least, because the two are not sold in the same sizes.
FOR LABORATORY AND IN-VITRO RESEARCH USE ONLY. NOT FOR HUMAN OR ANIMAL CONSUMPTION. NOT FOR PERSONAL, MEDICAL, DIAGNOSTIC, THERAPEUTIC, OR RECREATIONAL USE.