CJC-1295 (with and without DAC)

Origin and Development

Built on the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone-releasing hormone, the region that carries GHRH's biological activity. Four amino acid substitutions were introduced to resist enzymatic degradation, since natural GHRH is broken down within minutes. A separate modification, the Drug Affinity Complex, was later added to create a long-acting variant.

Mechanism as Understood in the Literature

Both forms bind GHRH receptors on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary, prompting release of the body's own growth hormone in a pulsatile pattern rather than introducing synthetic growth hormone directly. Downstream, growth hormone release raises IGF-1 production in the liver. The core receptor-binding sequence is identical in both forms; the DAC modification affects how long the molecule persists, not how it binds.

Research Status

Human data exists but is limited. The most cited work is Teichman et al. (2006), which reported prolonged elevation of growth hormone and IGF-1 following administration of the DAC form. The literature is thinner than for approved GHRH analogues such as tesamorelin, and a substantial portion of what circulates in the market as evidence is drawn from studies of related compounds rather than from CJC-1295 itself.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved for any indication. Removed from the FDA's Category 2 bulk drug substances list in April 2026 following withdrawal of the nomination, without being moved to Category 1 and without a recognized USP/NF monograph. Prohibited in competitive sport under World Anti-Doping Agency rules. [DECISION NEEDED: whether to split CJC-1295 with DAC and Mod GRF 1-29 into two separate entries. Currently one combined entry. The human trial evidence concerns the DAC form and does not validate the short-acting product.]

Commonly Confused With

This is the most consistently mislabeled compound in the category. The name "CJC-1295" is generally applied to the DAC version, while the version without DAC is more properly called Mod GRF 1-29. They are not interchangeable: the DAC form has a half-life of roughly six to eight days because the Drug Affinity Complex binds serum albumin, while the non-DAC form clears in roughly thirty to sixty minutes. A vial labeled simply "CJC-1295" may be either. Both are also distinct from sermorelin, which is the unmodified GHRH(1-29) sequence.

How This Compound Is Marketed

Vendor marketing for this compound typically references growth hormone support, recovery, body composition, and sleep quality, very often bundled with ipamorelin. VialReport does not evaluate or endorse these claims. See Research Status above for what the published literature actually establishes.

Analytical Profile

A 30-amino-acid modified GHRH analogue. The DAC and non-DAC forms differ measurably in mass because of the added complex, which means mass spectrometry can distinguish which version is actually in a vial. Retention-time comparison alone cannot reliably tell them apart, which matters given how often the two are sold under the same name.

Stability and Handling

Supplied lyophilized. Stability depends on molecular form, formulation, moisture, container closure, temperature, and reconstitution conditions. Published stability data may not apply to material sold through research channels.

Key Literature

01 Teichman SL, et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(3):799-805.
02 Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(12):4792-4797.

CJC-1295 (with and without DAC)

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