Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Head-to-head comparison of ACE-031 and IGF-1 LR3 — mechanism, side effects, legal status, and pricing.
ACE-031 (ramatercept) is a soluble fusion protein of the activin receptor IIB (ActRIIB) extracellular domain and human IgG1 Fc, developed by Acceleron Pharma as a myostatin/activin ligand trap for muscle-wasting disorders. Clinical development was HALTED in 2011 after unexpected vascular adverse events (epistaxis, telangiectasia) attributed to off-target BMP-9/10 inhibition. NOT FDA-approved; all further development was terminated. Now sold only as a grey-market research chemical. WADA-prohibited (myostatin inhibitor).
IGF-1 LR3 is an 83-amino-acid modified IGF-1 analog with a 13-residue N-terminal extension (MFPAMPLSSLFVN) and an Arg-3 substitution. These modifications reduce binding to IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), extending effective half-life and increasing tissue bioavailability relative to native IGF-1. It is a research/cell-culture reagent and is NOT FDA-approved for any human use. Do not confuse with mecasermin (Increlex), which is recombinant human IGF-1 and IS FDA-approved for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency.
ACE-031
IGF-1 LR3
Category
Legal Status
Mechanism
Half-life
Side Effects
COA-verified vendors · trust score ≥70 required · single-vial price — bulk/bundle deals may be lower
ACE-031
1 vendor lists this, but none clear the trust bar (score ≥70) yet.
Check ACE-031 prices →IGF-1 LR3
COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.
ACE-031
1
COAs
99.8%
Avg purity
1
Labs
IGF-1 LR3
42
COAs
98.7%
Avg purity
9
Labs
Phase 2 in ambulatory boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy was terminated early in 2011 after unexpected nose-bleeds and telangiectasia were observed (attributed to off-target BMP-9/10 neutralization); published results later showed no significant 6MWT benefit vs. placebo in the truncated trial (Campbell et al., Muscle & Nerve, 2017; PMID 27462804). A single-ascending-dose Phase 1 study in healthy postmenopausal women (Attie et al., Muscle & Nerve, 2013; PMID 23169607) showed dose-dependent modest lean-mass increase but also the same vascular signal. Acceleron formally discontinued ACE-031 in 2013 and pivoted to other ActRII programs. No FDA approval; development TERMINATED for vascular safety. WADA-prohibited.
Francis et al. (J Mol Endocrinol 1992; PMID 1378742) characterized LR3-IGF-1 as a fusion analog whose enhanced biological potency derives from reduced IGFBP binding; in IGFBP-free cell systems LR3 was actually LESS potent than native IGF-1, underscoring that the 'potency' is really reduced sequestration rather than intrinsically stronger receptor activation. Tomas (Growth Horm IGF Res 2001; PMID 11472075) infused LR(3)IGF-I into food-restricted rats and found it preserved body weight and nitrogen retention but did NOT conserve skeletal muscle protein — which contradicts the common 'potent muscle builder' framing from preclinical literature alone. There are no controlled human trials supporting bodybuilding use. Epidemiologic and mechanistic work reviewed by Grimberg (Cancer Biol Ther 2003; PMID 14688466) links elevated IGF-1 axis activity to breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer risk, so chronic systemic LR3 exposure carries a concrete — not merely theoretical — tumorigenesis concern. IGF-1 and its analogs are banned at all times under the WADA Code.
Key references
ACE-031 and IGF-1 LR3 are both in the Performance category and may have overlapping mechanisms. Researchers should review both profiles carefully, understand the mechanisms of action, and monitor the relevant biomarkers when combining compounds in the same class. As always, consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any decisions about combining research compounds.
This platform provides informational tools only, not medical advice. This comparison is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed provider.
Contraindications
Lab Testing
Disclosed Labs