CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Overview

CJC-1295 without Drug Affinity Complex (no DAC), also known as Modified GRF(1-29), is a synthetic analog of the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Four amino acid substitutions at positions 2, 8, 15, and 27 confer resistance to DPP-IV enzymatic degradation while maintaining GHRH-receptor binding activity. Unlike the DAC-conjugated variant (half-life 6–8 days via albumin binding), the no-DAC form has a short half-life of approximately 30 minutes, producing brief, pulsatile bursts of GH secretion. Not FDA-approved in any form.

Mechanism of Action

CJC-1295 (no DAC) binds to the GHRH receptor (GHRHR) on pituitary somatotroph cells, activating adenylyl cyclase and raising intracellular cAMP. This triggers protein kinase A activation, GH gene transcription, and vesicular release of stored GH. The four substitutions resist DPP-IV cleavage, extending bioactivity beyond native GHRH(1-29) while maintaining the short half-life that generates pulsatile rather than sustained GH elevation. When co-administered with a GHS-R1a agonist such as ipamorelin, dual-pathway activation produces a synergistic GH pulse.

Research Summary

The parent molecule CJC-1295 (DAC form) was identified by Jetté et al. (Endocrinology, 2005; PMID 15817669) at ConjuChem as a tetrasubstituted GHRH(1-29) bioconjugate that covalently binds Cys34 of serum albumin via a maleimidopropionyl-lysine linker, extending half-life to roughly 5.8–8.1 days. In healthy adults, Teichman et al. (JCEM, 2006; PMID 16352683) showed single SubQ doses of the DAC form produced 2- to 10-fold GH elevations for ≥6 days and 1.5- to 3-fold IGF-1 elevations for 9–11 days, and Ionescu & Frohman (JCEM, 2006; PMID 17018654) demonstrated that pulsatile GH secretion was preserved (7.5-fold increase in trough GH, IGF-1 up 45%). ConjuChem halted Phase 2 lipodystrophy development around 2006–2007 after a participant death in an HIV-visceral-adiposity trial (deemed by the trial physician most likely due to pre-existing coronary artery disease rather than CJC-1295, but the program was not resumed; aidsmap news, July 2006). The no-DAC form described here ('Modified GRF 1-29') shares the same position-2/8/15/27 substitutions (which confer DPP-IV resistance; see Soule et al., JCEM 1994, PMID 7962295 for the foundational D-Ala2 half-life work) but omits the albumin-linker lysine, giving a short (~30 min) half-life similar to sermorelin. No form of CJC-1295 is FDA-approved for any indication. Grey-market compounding practice pairs the no-DAC form with ipamorelin; this combination is not clinically validated for anti-aging, body composition, or performance use, and peer-reviewed human trials of the no-DAC variant specifically are lacking — the 100–300 mcg dosing range reflects community practice, not clinical evidence.

Vendors selling CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Scored vendors carrying CJC-1295 (no DAC), ranked by trust grade. Grades are computed from indexed Certificates of Analysis. Full $/mg pricing is on the comparison page.

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Research References

• Identification, characterization, and long-lasting effects of a new growth hormone-releasing peptide analogue (CJC-1295) in rats (2005)
• Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone, in healthy adults (2006)
• Pulsatile growth hormone secretion: insights from recent studies of growth hormone-releasing hormone in children and adults (2006)

Frequently asked questions

Has CJC-1295 (no DAC) been independently lab-tested?

Disclosed Labs has collected 14 Certificates of Analysis (COA) for CJC-1295 (no DAC) from 7 independent testing labs. 10 vendors have submitted material for testing. Products average 99.6% tested purity across the corpus. Full testing data is available at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/peptides/cjc-1295-no-dac/testing.

What is the average purity of CJC-1295 (no DAC) on the market?

Based on 14 COAs analyzed by Disclosed Labs, CJC-1295 (no DAC) products average 99.6% (±0.3%) tested purity. Individual vendor results vary; see per-vendor COA data at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/peptides/cjc-1295-no-dac/coas.

Which labs have tested CJC-1295 (no DAC)?

Independent labs that have tested CJC-1295 (no DAC) include: ILS Labs (Grade A). Full lab credibility grades and profiles are at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/labs.

Where can researchers source CJC-1295 (no DAC)?

6 vendors with Disclosed Labs trust grades currently list CJC-1295 (no DAC), including Instant Peptides, Optima Supply, Peptide Tech. Compare live prices and lab-verified COAs at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/prices/cjc-1295-no-dac.

How does CJC-1295 (no DAC) work?

CJC-1295 (no DAC) binds to the GHRH receptor (GHRHR) on pituitary somatotroph cells, activating adenylyl cyclase and raising intracellular cAMP. This triggers protein kinase A activation, GH gene transcription, and vesicular release of stored GH. The four substitutions resist DPP-IV cleavage, extending bioactivity beyond native GHRH(1-29) while maintaining the short half-life that generates pulsatile rather than sustained GH elevation. When co-administered with a GHS-R1a agonist such as ipamorelin, dual-pathway activation produces a synergistic GH pulse.

What does the research say about CJC-1295 (no DAC)?

The parent molecule CJC-1295 (DAC form) was identified by Jetté et al. (Endocrinology, 2005; PMID 15817669) at ConjuChem as a tetrasubstituted GHRH(1-29) bioconjugate that covalently binds Cys34 of serum albumin via a maleimidopropionyl-lysine linker, extending half-life to roughly 5.8–8.1 days. In healthy adults, Teichman et al. (JCEM, 2006; PMID 16352683) showed single SubQ doses of the DAC form produced 2- to 10-fold GH elevations for ≥6 days and 1.5- to 3-fold IGF-1 elevations for 9–11 days, and Ionescu & Frohman (JCEM, 2006; PMID 17018654) demonstrated that pulsatile GH secretion was preserved (7.5-fold increase in trough GH, IGF-1 up 45%). ConjuChem halted Phase 2 lipodystrophy development around 2006–2007 after a participant death in an HIV-visceral-adiposity trial (deemed by the trial physician most likely due to pre-existing coronary artery disease rather than CJC-1295, but the program was not resumed; aidsmap news, July 2006). The no-DAC form described here ('Modified GRF 1-29') shares the same position-2/8/15/27 substitutions (which confer DPP-IV resistance; see Soule et al., JCEM 1994, PMID 7962295 for the foundational D-Ala2 half-life work) but omits the albumin-linker lysine, giving a short (~30 min) half-life similar to sermorelin. No form of CJC-1295 is FDA-approved for any indication. Grey-market compounding practice pairs the no-DAC form with ipamorelin; this combination is not clinically validated for anti-aging, body composition, or performance use, and peer-reviewed human trials of the no-DAC variant specifically are lacking — the 100–300 mcg dosing range reflects community practice, not clinical evidence.