Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Head-to-head comparison of CJC-1295 and IGF-1 LR3 — mechanism, side effects, legal status, and pricing.
CJC-1295 is a synthetic tetrasubstituted analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29) originally developed by ConjuChem. The name historically refers to the DAC-modified (Drug Affinity Complex) form that covalently binds serum albumin, producing a 6–8 day half-life; a separate no-DAC form (also called Modified GRF 1-29) shares the same tetrasubstituted backbone but lacks the albumin-linking maleimidopropionyl-lysine and has a half-life of roughly 30 minutes. Not FDA-approved in any form; ConjuChem halted Phase 2 development around 2007 after a patient death in an HIV-lipodystrophy trial (ultimately judged by investigators to be unrelated to the drug, but development was terminated regardless).
IGF-1 LR3 is an 83-amino-acid modified IGF-1 analog with a 13-residue N-terminal extension (MFPAMPLSSLFVN) and an Arg-3 substitution. These modifications reduce binding to IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), extending effective half-life and increasing tissue bioavailability relative to native IGF-1. It is a research/cell-culture reagent and is NOT FDA-approved for any human use. Do not confuse with mecasermin (Increlex), which is recombinant human IGF-1 and IS FDA-approved for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency.
CJC-1295
IGF-1 LR3
Category
Legal Status
Mechanism
Half-life
Side Effects
COA-verified vendors · trust score ≥70 required · single-vial price — bulk/bundle deals may be lower
CJC-1295
IGF-1 LR3
COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.
CJC-1295
115
COAs
98.8%
Avg purity
12
Labs
IGF-1 LR3
42
COAs
98.7%
Avg purity
9
Labs
CJC-1295 is among peptides under FDA review for the Category 1 (503A) list; if added, it would require a prescription to be compounded by registered 503A/503B pharmacies — not yet authorized. IGF-1 LR3 remains research-only. In April 2026 the FDA removed 12 peptides from Category 2, which does not place them on the Category 1 list or authorize compounding. The FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee is advisory and meets July 23–24, 2026 to review nominations and make recommendations to the FDA.
In healthy adults, single SubQ doses of CJC-1295 (with DAC) elevated plasma GH 2- to 10-fold for ≥6 days and IGF-1 1.5- to 3-fold for 9–11 days (Teichman et al., JCEM 2006), and pulsatile GH secretion was preserved rather than suppressed during continuous stimulation (Ionescu & Frohman, JCEM 2006). Despite these Phase 1/2 findings, ConjuChem halted Phase 2 lipodystrophy development in 2006–2007 after a trial participant died of a myocardial infarction; the event was deemed most likely due to pre-existing coronary disease, but the program was not resumed. No CJC-1295 form is FDA-approved for any indication. Grey-market use almost always refers to the no-DAC / Modified GRF 1-29 form, often stacked with ipamorelin; neither variant is clinically validated for anti-aging, body composition, or performance indications.
Key references
Francis et al. (J Mol Endocrinol 1992; PMID 1378742) characterized LR3-IGF-1 as a fusion analog whose enhanced biological potency derives from reduced IGFBP binding; in IGFBP-free cell systems LR3 was actually LESS potent than native IGF-1, underscoring that the 'potency' is really reduced sequestration rather than intrinsically stronger receptor activation. Tomas (Growth Horm IGF Res 2001; PMID 11472075) infused LR(3)IGF-I into food-restricted rats and found it preserved body weight and nitrogen retention but did NOT conserve skeletal muscle protein — which contradicts the common 'potent muscle builder' framing from preclinical literature alone. There are no controlled human trials supporting bodybuilding use. Epidemiologic and mechanistic work reviewed by Grimberg (Cancer Biol Ther 2003; PMID 14688466) links elevated IGF-1 axis activity to breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer risk, so chronic systemic LR3 exposure carries a concrete — not merely theoretical — tumorigenesis concern. IGF-1 and its analogs are banned at all times under the WADA Code.
CJC-1295 and IGF-1 LR3 are both in the Performance category and may have overlapping mechanisms. Researchers should review both profiles carefully, understand the mechanisms of action, and monitor the relevant biomarkers when combining compounds in the same class. As always, consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any decisions about combining research compounds.
This platform provides informational tools only, not medical advice. This comparison is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed provider.
Contraindications
Lab Testing
Key references
Disclosed Labs