INS-20

INS-20 (also known as MK-6302) is a pegylated recombinant form of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), developed as a follow-on biologic (biosimilar) to the reference product Neulasta (pegfilgrastim). It functions as an agonist of the colony-stimulating factor 3 receptor (CSF3R), which is primarily expressed on neutrophil precursors and mature neutrophils in the bone marrow. By binding to and activating this receptor, INS-20 stimulates the proliferation, differentiation, and activation of neutrophils, thereby accelerating the recovery of neutrophil counts in patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy. The pegylation of the G-CSF protein extends its biological half-life by reducing renal clearance and proteolysis, allowing for a single subcutaneous dose per chemotherapy cycle. Originally developed by Insmed, the program was acquired by Merck & Co. in 2009 as part of the Merck BioVentures initiative to establish a biosimilars portfolio. However, the development of the candidate was later discontinued following strategic shifts in Merck's biologics and biosimilars division.

Other names

pegfilgrastim biosimilarpegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factorpegylated rhG-CSF