CJC-1295 — Canada Research Brief

Mechanism

CJC-1295 was developed by ConjuChem as a long-acting GHRH analogue. The backbone is the native GHRH (1-29) sequence with four substitutions (D-Ala²-Gln⁸-Ala¹⁵-Leu²⁷) that improve enzymatic stability. The DAC variant adds a maleimidopropionyl-lysine linker that forms a covalent bond with free cysteine residues on albumin shortly after injection — turning the peptide into an albumin-conjugated prodrug with a half-life of 6–8 days.

Mechanistically, CJC-1295 binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs and drives growth hormone secretion in pulses consistent with physiological GH rhythm. The DAC variant produces a sustained elevation in IGF-1 (the liver-derived output of the GH axis) while preserving physiological feedback via somatostatin — a distinction from exogenous recombinant GH.

Stacking with ipamorelin

The CJC-1295 + ipamorelin combination is the canonical GH-secretagogue research pair. GHRH analogues and ghrelin agonists act on different pituitary receptors, so their GH pulses add rather than compete. In rodent and early human studies the combination produced larger GH peaks than either compound alone at equivalent doses.

Storage

Store lyophilised CJC-1295 at −20°C protected from light. Reconstituted peptide is stable refrigerated at 2–8°C for 2–4 weeks. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.