CJC-1295

Also known as: CJC-1295 DAC, DAC:GRF, CJC-1295 with DAC

Evidence: Clinical

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Overview

GHRH(1-29) analog carrying a Drug Affinity Complex that binds serum albumin, extending half-life to about a week and sustaining growth hormone and IGF-1 output.

CJC-1295 (ConjuChem) is a tetrasubstituted GHRH(1-29) with a C-terminal lysine carrying a maleimidopropionyl group (the 'Drug Affinity Complex') that bonds to Cys34 of serum albumin after injection, protecting the peptide from dipeptidyl peptidase IV (Jette 2005, rat). In two randomized placebo-controlled trials in healthy adults, single SC doses of 30-60 mcg/kg raised mean GH 2- to 10-fold for 6 or more days and IGF-1 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 days, with a half-life of 5.8-8.1 days and no serious adverse reactions; weekly or biweekly dosing kept IGF-1 above baseline for up to 28 days (Teichman 2006). A week after 60-90 mcg/kg, GH pulsatility was preserved with trough GH up 7.5-fold and IGF-1 up 45% (Ionescu 2006). Daily dosing normalized growth in GHRH-knockout mice (Alba 2006). Development stopped after phase 2; not approved anywhere. No body-composition, sleep or recovery trial exists.

Benefits

GH 2-10x and IGF-1 1.5-3x for 6-11 days after one injection (human phase 1/2 RCT), preserved GH pulsatility with 7.5x higher trough GH (human), normalized growth in GHRH-knockout mice

Dosing reference

Research dose: 30-60 mcg/kg SC weekly or every 2 weeks in phase 1/2 trials (about 2-4 mg for 70 kg); research-community range 1-2 mg weekly
Range: 2000 to 4000 mcg, 1x weekly to every 2 weeks
Reconstitution: 2 mL bacteriostatic water
Common vial sizes: 2 mg, 5 mg

Subcutaneous. Trials dosed weekly or every 2 weeks; IGF-1 stayed above baseline for up to 28 days after multiple doses, with a cumulative effect (Teichman 2006). Not interchangeable with 'CJC-1295 no DAC' (Mod GRF 1-29), whose action lasts minutes. Research protocols pair it with a GHRP.

Mechanism

CJC-1295 is [D-Ala2, Gln8, Ala15, Leu27]-GHRH(1-29) extended by a lysine whose side chain carries a 3-maleimidopropionyl group. In vivo the maleimide forms a covalent bond with the free thiol of Cys34 on serum albumin, giving an albumin-peptide conjugate that resists dipeptidyl peptidase IV and persists in plasma beyond 72 h in rats (Jette 2005). The conjugate still activates the pituitary GHRH receptor, so GH secretion is driven continuously. In men this raised trough GH 7.5-fold while leaving pulse frequency and amplitude unchanged, and the IGF-1 rise tracked the trough increase (Ionescu 2006). Human half-life is 5.8-8.1 days (Teichman 2006).

Evidence

Clinical: at least one published human trial or an approved drug

Two randomized placebo-controlled trials in healthy adults: GH 2-10x for 6+ days and IGF-1 1.5-3x for 9-11 days after one SC dose; half-life 5.8-8.1 days; no serious adverse reactions (Teichman et al., 2006)
GH pulsatility preserved one week after 60-90 mcg/kg, trough GH 7.5x, mean GH +46%, IGF-1 +45% in healthy men (Ionescu and Frohman, 2006)
Identified as the best of three albumin-binding GHRH(1-29) maleimide derivatives; 4x GH AUC vs GHRH(1-29) in rats (Jette et al., 2005)
Daily 2 mcg doses normalized body length and weight in GHRH-knockout mice (Alba et al., 2006)
Serum proteomic changes (apoA1, transthyretin isoforms) one week after a single dose in 11 young men (Sackmann-Sala et al., 2009)
Human-trial status: phase 1/2 only; development did not continue; not approved anywhere

References

Side effects

In the phase 1/2 trials CJC-1295 was 'safe and relatively well tolerated, particularly at 30 or 60 mcg/kg' with no serious adverse reactions and a cumulative effect after repeated doses (Teichman 2006). Injection-site reactions, flushing, headache, water retention, joint aches, carpal tunnel symptoms and reduced insulin sensitivity are commonly reported (anecdotal) with sustained GH elevation. Regulatory: CJC-1295 is in the 503A withdrawn-nomination table of FDA's compounding safety-risk page, which notes serious adverse events reported with it (increased heart rate, systemic vasodilatory reaction), page content as of 2026-04-22: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks

Storage

Storage: Refrigerated (2-8°C)
Lyophilized: 24+ months at room temperature
Reconstituted: 28-30 days refrigerated

Pharmacology

Half-life: 5.8-8.1 days (human, SC; Teichman 2006)
Molecular weight: 3647.15 Da
Sequence: Y[D-A]DAIFTQSYRKVLAQLSARKLLQDILSR[K(N-epsilon-3-maleimidopropionyl)][NH2]