What's the difference between CJC-1295 with and without DAC?

The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) binds albumin and extends action to several days. Without it, 'modified GRF 1-29' works for roughly 30 minutes. They are not interchangeable, despite often being sold under the same 'CJC-1295' name.

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CJC-1295

Clinical

Also known as CJC-1295 with DAC

Long-acting GHRH analog

One shot, a week of elevated GH and IGF-1.

References: 1
Human-grade claims: 1 of 1
Evidence floor: Clinical
Status: Research-only

A GHRH analog engineered to bind albumin (via a Drug Affinity Complex, or DAC), stretching its action from minutes to days. A human PK study showed sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation; it remains investigational and is not approved for human use. Note the DAC-free version is a different, short-acting molecule.

GH-axisGHRHinvestigational

How it works

CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH(1-29) fragment. The DAC — an albumin-binding chemical group — latches onto a blood protein so the peptide circulates for days instead of minutes, producing a long, low 'bleed' of growth-hormone release. Remove the DAC and you get 'modified GRF 1-29', which acts for only about half an hour.

Sequence: Modified GRF(1-29): D-Ala2, Gln8, Ala15, Leu27 substitutions, plus a DAC albumin-binding group'CJC-1295 with DAC' (long-acting) and DAC-free 'modified GRF 1-29' (~30-minute action) are two distinct molecules that are often conflated.

What it's studied for

Raised GH 2–10× (for ≥6 days) and IGF-1 1.5–3× (for 9–11 days) after a single dose in healthy adults; half-life ~6–8 days.
Clinical
[1] Teichman et al., 2006 (J Clin Endocrinol Metab)

Regulatory & legal status

Research-only

Not approved for human use in any jurisdiction; investigational only. There is no long-term human safety data.

[1] Teichman et al., 2006 (J Clin Endocrinol Metab)

Frequently asked

What's the difference between CJC-1295 with and without DAC?: The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) binds albumin and extends action to several days. Without it, 'modified GRF 1-29' works for roughly 30 minutes. They are not interchangeable, despite often being sold under the same 'CJC-1295' name.

References

[1]Teichman et al., 2006 (J Clin Endocrinol Metab)

Written by Twenty Residues editorial. Reviewed by Pending named medical review.

Last updated September 19, 2026.

Update history

2026-09-19 — Sourced review — every claim checked against primary literature; sequence, regulatory status, safety, and FAQs added.