Iscove's Medium is a modification of DMEM using high glucose (4500 mg/l). It contains sodium pyruvate and additional vitamins, amino acids and selenium. Iscove's medium was originally designed for the serum-free growth of primary hemopoietic cells when supplemented with albumine, transferrin and soy bean lipids. When used in conjunction with serum, Iscove's supports growth of a broad spectrum of mammalian cells (lymphcytes, hybridomas and bone marrow). The medium containing a HEPES buffer and NaCHO₃, is ideal for rapidly proliferating high density cell cultures in a 5 % CO₂ atmoshphere.

Different from the original formulation, only 0.05 mg/l riboflavin are used due to risk of photo oxidative effects.