CJC-1295

Overview

CJC-1295 is a synthetic 30-amino acid analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) developed in the early 2000s by the Canadian biotechnology company ConjuChem. Its defining characteristic is the incorporation of Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) technology, a reactive maleimidopropionic acid group that allows the peptide to covalently bind to circulating serum albumin immediately after injection, exponentially extending its active half-life compared to endogenous GHRH or earlier short-acting analogues [1][5].

Unlike GHRP-class peptides such as ipamorelin, which act at the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a), CJC-1295 acts directly at the GHRH receptor on the anterior pituitary, stimulating somatotroph cells to synthesize and release growth hormone through the canonical GHRH pathway. The two compound classes are mechanistically complementary, which explains their frequent co-administration in compounding practice [3].

CJC-1295 has never received FDA approval and is not commercially marketed as an approved therapeutic. It is sold as a research compound and is widely offered in compounding pharmacy contexts for off-label use. There is no standardized, guideline-endorsed dosing regimen for healthy adults. Clinical development by ConjuChem was largely suspended after a patient fatality in a Phase II trial, and no Phase III efficacy data exist [1].

Research Areas and Claims

CJC-1295's evidence base consists of Phase I pharmacokinetic and biomarker studies in healthy human volunteers, plus preclinical animal models. Longevity, body composition, and anti-aging claims promoted in compounding contexts extend significantly beyond what published evidence supports.

• Sustained GH Elevation (Established in Phase I): SC administration of CJC-1295 (with DAC) produced dose-dependent increases in mean plasma GH concentrations of 2- to 10-fold lasting 6 or more days, and IGF-1 elevations of 1.5- to 3-fold lasting 9–11 days. This is the most robustly established finding in humans [1].

• Preserved Pulsatile GH Secretion: CJC-1295 markedly increased basal GH levels while preserving the natural pulsatile frequency and magnitude of GH secretion, an important pharmacological property suggesting it does not blunt the GH axis feedback mechanisms [2].

• Serum Protein Biomarker Changes: Phase I evaluation identified specific serum protein profile changes resulting from GH/IGF-1 axis activation, providing potential downstream biomarkers of biological activity [3].

• Muscle Growth, Fat Loss, Anti-Aging (Clinic Claims): Widely promoted in wellness and compounding contexts. No published randomized controlled trials in healthy adults demonstrate these outcomes for CJC-1295. GH/IGF-1 elevation is established pharmacologically; translation to hard clinical endpoints (body composition, longevity, mortality, frailty) has not been demonstrated in this population [1].

Mechanism of Action

1. GHRH Receptor Agonism: CJC-1295 binds to GHRH receptors on somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland, stimulating the synthesis and pulsatile release of growth hormone through the canonical GHRH/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway [3].
2. DAC: Albumin Bioconjugation (WITH DAC only): The maleimidopropionic acid (DAC) group reacts with free thiol groups on circulating serum albumin, forming a stable covalent bond. Because albumin has a half-life of ~19 days and is not filtered by the kidneys, this bioconjugation prevents rapid enzymatic degradation and renal clearance of CJC-1295, extending active half-life from minutes (natural GHRH) to approximately 6–8 days [1][5].
3. Sustained GH and IGF-1 Elevation: Prolonged GHRH receptor stimulation drives sustained increases in basal GH pulse amplitude and integrated GH area under the curve, which in turn stimulates hepatic IGF-1 production. The 2- to 10-fold GH increases and 1.5- to 3-fold IGF-1 increases observed in Phase I trials persist for up to 9–11 days after a single injection (with DAC) [1].
4. Preserved Pulsatile Feedback: Despite sustained GHRH receptor stimulation, physiological somatostatin-mediated negative feedback remains intact, and natural GH pulse frequency is preserved. This pharmacological feature distinguishes CJC-1295 from supraphysiological exogenous GH administration [2].

Clinical Trials

CJC-1295 has been evaluated in three Phase I human trials, all enrolling healthy adult volunteers and focusing on pharmacokinetics, GH/IGF-1 pharmacodynamics, and biomarker characterization. No Phase II or III trials in healthy adults have been published. Preclinical studies are excluded from the table below.

Administration Methods

• Subcutaneous (SC), with DAC: The predominant route in compounding practice. Due to its long half-life, CJC-1295 with DAC is typically administered once or twice weekly via SC injection [1].
• Subcutaneous (SC), without DAC: CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod-GRF 1-29) requires daily or twice-daily SC dosing due to its short ~30-minute half-life. Often administered immediately before sleep or with a GHRP to amplify GH pulses.
• Intravenous (IV): Used in some early pharmacokinetic research environments. Not the route used in compounding practice [1].

Vendor Directory

Data collected February 2026. Vendors are separated by CJC variant and availability of public pricing. Prices subject to change.

Injectable (SC): With DAC: Standalone

Injectable (SC): Without DAC / Mod-GRF(1-29): Standalone

Combination Products (with Ipamorelin): With Pricing

All combination products below use CJC-1295 WITHOUT DAC blended with ipamorelin. See the Ipamorelin page for the same table from the ipamorelin perspective.

No Public Pricing / B2B / Wholesale / Login Required / Inactive

These vendors carry or have carried CJC-1295 but do not list public retail prices, require account login to access pricing, operate on a B2B/wholesale basis, or have uncertain operational status as of February 2026.

* Data Notes: Data collected February 2026. All products sold strictly for in-vitro research purposes. $/mg calculated from listed catalog price ÷ mg per vial. * NextechLabs: 35% flash sale price at time of data collection (regular $10.50/mg); verify before purchasing. Prices subject to change.