Long-acting GHRH analog · research peptide

CJC-1295 (with DAC)

Studied for: prolonged GH / IGF-1 elevation (research peptide)

CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic GHRH(1-29) analog engineered with four DPP-IV-resistant amino-acid substitutions and a drug affinity complex (DAC) that binds reversibly to serum albumin. The DAC is what gives it a 6–8 day human half-life — days instead of minutes. It is not FDA-approved. Phase II clinical development was discontinued after a trial subject death, and in December 2024 the FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted against including it on the 503A bulks list.

Class
GHRH analog with albumin-binding DAC
Structure
Modified GHRH(1-29) + DAC conjugate
Elimination half-life (human, with DAC)
~6–8 days[1]
GH elevation
2–10× baseline for ≥ 6 days (single injection)[1]
IGF-1 elevation
0.5–3× baseline for 9–11 days[1]
Clinical development
Phase II discontinued after trial patient death[2]
FDA status
Not approved · PCAC voted against 503A inclusion Dec 2024[3]
Related compound
CJC-1295 without DAC = "Modified GRF 1-29" (shorter half-life)
Safety context. Phase II clinical development of CJC-1295 was discontinued after the death of one of the trial subjects. A public peer-reviewed causality determination has not been published. PCAC voted against inclusion on the 503A bulks list in December 2024. This page summarizes the published record; it does not recommend doses, protocols, or acquisition channels.

Last reviewed April 24, 2026 by the Enhanced Health Editorial Team. See the editorial policy.

What CJC-1295 is

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of the first 29 amino acids of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1–29). Two engineering changes distinguish it from native GHRH:[1]

  1. Four amino-acid substitutions that resist cleavage by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), the enzyme that degrades native GHRH within minutes.
  2. A drug affinity complex (DAC) conjugated to the peptide. The DAC contains a reactive maleimide group that forms a covalent bond with cysteine-34 of serum albumin after injection. Albumin-bound CJC-1295 circulates for days rather than minutes.

The "without DAC" variant of CJC-1295 lacks the albumin-binding conjugation and is often called Modified GRF 1-29. Its half-life is measured in minutes, not days. The two are pharmacologically very different despite sharing the "CJC-1295" label.

Mechanism

CJC-1295 acts at the GHRH receptor (GHRHR) on pituitary somatotrophs — the same receptor activated by endogenous GHRH. Downstream signaling elevates intracellular cAMP, triggering pulsatile GH release. Because circulating CJC-1295 is maintained at effective concentrations for days through albumin binding, the result is not a single pulse but a sustained increase in the amplitude of the body's natural pulsatile GH secretion.[1][4]

Pharmacokinetics

  • Human half-life (with DAC). Approximately 6–8 days.[1]
  • GH elevation. A single injection raised plasma GH 2- to 10-fold for at least 6 days in human trials.[1]
  • IGF-1 elevation. Plasma IGF-1 rose 0.5- to 3-fold and remained elevated for 9 to 11 days after a single dose. With repeated dosing, IGF-1 showed cumulative elevation — indicating the dosing interval should be respected because drug accumulates.[1]
  • AUC behavior. GH AUC was dose-proportional whether dosed once or repeatedly. IGF-1 AUC was also dose-dependent but showed progressive elevation over time with repeat dosing.[1]

Clinical development history

CJC-1295 (as DAC:GRF) was investigated by ConjuChem (the Montreal biotechnology company) for growth hormone deficiency and HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The compound reached Phase II clinical trials. The Phase II program was discontinued after the death of one of the trial subjects.[2] No peer-reviewed causality determination tying the death to the compound has been published. The compound has not progressed through FDA review in the years since.

This safety history is a material fact in any educational discussion of CJC-1295 and is one reason the pharmacology community treats the compound distinctly from short-acting GHRH analogs like tesamorelin (FDA-approved) and sermorelin (formerly FDA-approved).

Regulatory status

  • FDA approval. None for any indication.
  • PCAC vote. At its December 2024 meeting, the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted against including CJC-1295 on the 503A bulks list. That outcome means CJC-1295 is not authorized to be compounded by 503A pharmacies for a listed indication absent a new nomination or new evidence.[3]
  • April 15, 2026 503A update. CJC-1295 was not on the April 15, 2026 Category 2 removal list.

Storage and handling

  • Lyophilized powder. Store sealed per supplier instructions — typically refrigerated at 2–8 °C or frozen at −20 °C.
  • After reconstitution. Refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) for multi-draw; sterile water for single-draw.
  • Handling. Swirl — do not shake. Avoid freeze–thaw. Discard cloudy or discolored solutions.

Reconstitution math

Math only — no dose recommendation. Given the 6–8 day half-life, the chosen concentration has long-lasting pharmacologic consequences; this math is arithmetic, not advice.

Example 1 · 2 mg vial + 2 mL bac water concentration = 2 mg / 2 mL = 1 mg/mL = 1000 mcg/mL
1 unit = 0.01 mL = 10 mcg
→ 100 mcg = 10 units
→ 250 mcg = 25 units
→ 500 mcg = 50 units
→ 1 mg = 100 units (full syringe)
Example 2 · 2 mg vial + 1 mL bac water concentration = 2 mg / 1 mL = 2 mg/mL = 2000 mcg/mL
1 unit = 0.01 mL = 20 mcg
→ 100 mcg = 5 units
→ 500 mcg = 25 units
→ 1 mg = 50 units
→ 2 mg = 100 units (full syringe)
Example 3 · 5 mg vial + 2 mL bac water concentration = 5 mg / 2 mL = 2.5 mg/mL = 2500 mcg/mL
1 unit = 0.01 mL = 25 mcg
→ 100 mcg = 4 units
→ 500 mcg = 20 units
→ 1 mg = 40 units
→ 2.5 mg = 100 units (full syringe)

Frequently asked questions

What is CJC-1295?

Synthetic GHRH(1-29) analog with DPP-IV-resistant substitutions and a drug affinity complex (DAC) for albumin binding. Without DAC, it's called "Modified GRF 1-29" and has a much shorter half-life.[1]

What's the half-life?

With DAC: ~6–8 days in humans. GH elevated 2–10× for ≥6 days; IGF-1 elevated 0.5–3× for 9–11 days; cumulative with repeat dosing.[1]

CJC-1295 vs ipamorelin?

GHRH receptor vs ghrelin receptor. ~6–8 days vs ~2 hours half-life. Different pharmacological arms of GH regulation, often described together.

Was it ever in clinical trials?

Yes. Phase II for GH deficiency and HIV lipodystrophy. Discontinued after a trial subject death; no peer-reviewed causality determination published.[2]

How do I reconstitute a 2 mg vial?

Typical: 2 mg + 2 mL bacteriostatic water = 1 mg/mL → 1 unit = 10 mcg; 100 mcg = 10 units, 1 mg = 100 units.

Is it FDA-approved?

No. PCAC voted AGAINST inclusion on the 503A bulks list in December 2024.[3] Not compoundable for a listed indication.

Primary references

  1. Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) 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 (PubMed 16352683). PubMed 16352683 · PubMed 17018654 (pulsatile GH secretion)
  2. Wikipedia contributors. CJC-1295 — includes citations on the discontinuation of Phase II clinical development following a trial subject death. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CJC-1295
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) — December 2024 meeting. PCAC voted against CJC-1295 for inclusion on the 503A bulks list. fda.gov/PCAC
  4. Alba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A, Lawrence B, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA, Salvatori R. Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2006 (PubMed 16822960). PubMed 16822960

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