Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are similar to insulin by structure and function, but have a much higher growth-promoting activity. They are required for embryonic development, and are produced mainly in the liver in response to a hepatocyte growth hormone. It can be used to substitute insulin for the maintenance of human pluripotent stem cells. IGF-1 LR3 is a recombinant synthetic growth factor of ~9.1 kDa, single polypeptide chain containing 83 amino acid residues. It is an analog of IGF-1 comprised of the complete IGF-1 sequence, with an Arginine substitution for the third position Glutamic acid, and a 13 amino acid length N terminus peptide extension. It has been engineered for higher biological potency in vitro, with an increased half-life. 

This recombinant IGF-1 LR3 product is a highly potent growth factor ideal for stem cell research and cell manufacturing applications, including cells of the ectoderm linage (oligodendrocytes, motor neurons), and mesoderm linage (osteocytes, chondrocytes and muscle cells).