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What Is CJC-1295 DAC? Benefits, Research & Safety
A modified growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue featuring a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that extends its half-life to approximately 8 days, enabling sustained growth hormone elevation with less frequent dosing.
Also known as:
CJC-1295 with Drug Affinity Complex
DAC:GRF
Modified GRF(1-29) with DAC
Educational Content Only: This page provides research-based information for educational purposes. CJC-1295 DAC is not an approved medicine. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Quick Facts
Category
Hormonal & Endocrine
Half-Life
Approximately 6–8 days due to albumin conjugation (compared to ~30 minutes for CJC-1295 without DAC)
UK Status
Not licensed for human therapeutic use. Not approved by the MHRA. Available only as a research chemical.
EU Status
Not authorised by the EMA for any indication. Classified as an investigational compound.
Overview
CJC-1295 DAC is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) that incorporates a unique Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) — a reactive chemical group that binds covalently to serum albumin following subcutaneous injection. This albumin-binding modification dramatically extends the peptide's half-life from approximately 30 minutes (as seen with standard CJC-1295 or Mod GRF 1-29) to roughly 6–8 days, enabling sustained elevation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels with far less frequent administration.
The base peptide is a 30-amino-acid GHRH analogue (also known as tetrasubstituted GRF(1-29)) in which four amino acid substitutions confer resistance to enzymatic degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). The addition of the DAC moiety — a maleimidopropionic acid linker coupled to a lysine residue — allows the peptide to form a stable thioether bond with Cysteine-34 of circulating albumin, creating a long-lived bioconjugate.
CJC-1295 DAC was originally developed by ConjuChem Biotechnologies (later ConjuChem LLC) and advanced into Phase II clinical trials for growth hormone deficiency and lipodystrophy. Although development was discontinued following a serious adverse event (unrelated to the compound per investigators), the peptide has remained a subject of research interest.
CJC-1295 DAC is not approved for human therapeutic use by any regulatory authority including the MHRA, EMA, or FDA. All information presented here is for educational purposes based on published research.
Discovery & History
CJC-1295 DAC was developed by ConjuChem Biotechnologies, a Canadian biopharmaceutical company specialising in long-acting peptide therapeutics through their proprietary DAC technology platform. The technology was designed to overcome the fundamental pharmacokinetic limitation of native peptide hormones — their extremely short half-lives in circulation.
The development built upon earlier work characterising modified GRF(1-29) analogues with enhanced DPP-IV resistance. ConjuChem's innovation was the addition of the Drug Affinity Complex, which enabled in vivo albumin binding and dramatic half-life extension without compromising receptor binding affinity.
Phase I clinical trials were conducted in the early 2000s, demonstrating that a single subcutaneous injection could sustain elevated GH and IGF-1 levels for up to two weeks. Phase II trials followed, examining the compound in growth hormone deficiency and HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
In 2006, a clinical trial participant experienced a serious adverse event (cardiac event), which led to a temporary clinical hold. Although investigators determined the event was unrelated to CJC-1295 DAC, the programme faced challenges, and ConjuChem ultimately discontinued development.
Despite the cessation of formal pharmaceutical development, CJC-1295 DAC has remained widely discussed in research and biohacking communities, particularly in comparison to the non-DAC version (Mod GRF 1-29 or CJC-1295 without DAC), which requires more frequent dosing but offers pulsatile GH release patterns more closely mimicking natural physiology.
Mechanism of Action
CJC-1295 DAC exerts its effects through a multi-step process involving albumin conjugation, sustained GHRH receptor activation, and downstream growth hormone axis stimulation:
**Albumin Binding and Half-Life Extension**
Following subcutaneous injection, the maleimide group of the DAC moiety reacts with the free thiol of Cysteine-34 on circulating serum albumin, forming a stable covalent thioether bond. This bioconjugation effectively converts the peptide into a macromolecular complex (~67 kDa) that is protected from renal filtration, proteolytic degradation, and rapid clearance. The result is a biological half-life of approximately 6–8 days, compared to roughly 30 minutes for the unconjugated peptide.
**GHRH Receptor Activation**
The albumin-bound CJC-1295 DAC retains full agonist activity at the GHRH receptor (GHRHR), a G-protein-coupled receptor expressed primarily on somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland. Receptor activation triggers:
- Adenylate cyclase stimulation and cyclic AMP (cAMP) production
- Protein kinase A (PKA) pathway activation
- Transcription and release of stored growth hormone
**Sustained vs Pulsatile GH Release**
Unlike the standard CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29), which produces discrete GH pulses reflecting its short half-life and is typically co-administered with a GHRP such as Ipamorelin, CJC-1295 DAC produces a sustained, tonic elevation of baseline GH and IGF-1 levels. This continuous stimulation pattern differs from natural GH secretion, which is characteristically pulsatile.
**IGF-1 Elevation**
Sustained GH release stimulates hepatic production of IGF-1, a key mediator of GH's anabolic effects on muscle, bone, and other tissues. Clinical data showed IGF-1 elevations of 1.5 to 3-fold above baseline persisting for 6–14 days following a single injection.
**Somatostatin Interaction**
CJC-1295 DAC's effects remain subject to negative feedback by somatostatin, meaning GH release is partially physiologically regulated despite the sustained stimulation. However, the continuous nature of GHRH receptor activation may partially override normal pulsatile regulation.
[Molecular Structure Diagram Placeholder]
Researched Benefits
Based on preclinical and clinical research findings:
- 1Sustained elevation of GH and IGF-1 levels for 6–14 days following a single injection in clinical studies
- 2Reduced injection frequency compared to standard CJC-1295 (Mod GRF 1-29) — potentially once or twice weekly versus multiple daily doses
- 3Increased lean body mass observed in Phase II clinical trial participants
- 4Potential improvement in body composition with decreased visceral adiposity
- 5Enhanced deep-wave sleep quality associated with elevated GH levels
- 6Potential bone density benefits through sustained IGF-1 elevation
- 7Improved recovery capacity and tissue repair associated with growth hormone axis stimulation
- 8Maintained physiological feedback regulation (somatostatin responsiveness) unlike exogenous GH administration
Theoretical Dosing & Protocols
⚠️ Educational Only: The following information is derived from research literature and is not a prescription or recommendation. No standardised human dosing exists. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
| Theoretical Dosage | 1000–2000 mcg (1–2 mg) per injection (based on clinical trial dosing) |
| Frequency | Once or twice weekly due to extended half-life |
| Duration | Variable; clinical trials examined 4–12 week protocols |
| Notes | CJC-1295 DAC is NOT approved for human use. These are theoretical protocols derived from clinical trial data. The sustained GH elevation pattern differs from natural pulsatile release, which some researchers consider a potential disadvantage compared to short-acting GHRH analogues. The long half-life means effects cannot be rapidly reversed if adverse reactions occur. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional. |
Administration Routes
Routes studied in research settings (educational only):
- Subcutaneous injection (used in all clinical trials)
- Intravenous injection (research settings only)
| Half-Life | Stability |
|---|---|
| Approximately 6–8 days due to albumin conjugation (compared to ~30 minutes for CJC-1295 without DAC) | Lyophilised powder should be stored at -20°C; reconstituted solution should be refrigerated at 2–8°C and used within a limited timeframe; the DAC moiety is sensitive to hydrolysis under certain conditions |
Safety Profile & Known Risks
Commonly Reported Side Effects
- Injection site reactions including redness, swelling, itching, or induration
- Water retention and peripheral oedema
- Transient flushing and warmth following injection
- Headache reported in clinical trial participants
- Fatigue and somnolence, particularly in the first days following injection
- Paraesthesia (tingling sensations) associated with GH elevation
Rare Risks & Concerns
- Sustained GH elevation may carry risks associated with chronic growth hormone excess including insulin resistance and glucose intolerance
- Theoretical risk of accelerating growth of undiagnosed tumours through prolonged IGF-1 elevation
- Carpal tunnel syndrome-like symptoms with prolonged use
- Unknown long-term cardiovascular effects — one serious cardiac adverse event occurred in clinical trials (deemed unrelated by investigators)
- Potential for antibody formation against the peptide–albumin conjugate
Contraindications
- Active malignancy or history of cancer (sustained IGF-1 elevation may promote tumour growth)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (no safety data available)
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (GH can worsen glucose tolerance)
- Active pituitary tumours or pituitary disease
- Children and adolescents (risk of abnormal growth patterns)
- Individuals with a history of carpal tunnel syndrome
UK & EU Regulatory Context
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Not licensed for human therapeutic use. Not approved by the MHRA. Available only as a research chemical.
🇪🇺 European Union
Not authorised by the EMA for any indication. Classified as an investigational compound.
CJC-1295 DAC has undergone Phase I and Phase II clinical trials but is not approved for human use by any regulatory authority. The original pharmaceutical development programme was discontinued. Products available online are unregulated and may be of unknown quality, purity, or authenticity. WADA prohibits all GH-releasing peptides in competitive sport.
Clinical Studies Summary
Prolonged Stimulation of Growth Hormone (GH) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Secretion by CJC-1295
Phase I/II study demonstrating that a single injection of CJC-1295 DAC produced dose-dependent increases in GH (2–10 fold) and IGF-1 (1.5–3 fold) lasting 6–14 days in healthy subjects. The compound was well tolerated with primarily injection site reactions.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(3):799-805View on PubMed
Effects of CJC-1295, a Long-Acting GHRH Analog, on GH and IGF-1 Levels in Healthy Adults
Extended study confirming sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation with weekly or biweekly dosing. Dose-dependent increases in lean body mass were observed over 4–8 weeks of treatment.
ConjuChem Biotechnologies Phase II Data
DAC:GRF (CJC-1295) in HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy
Phase II trial examining CJC-1295 DAC in patients with HIV-associated visceral adiposity. Preliminary results showed reductions in trunk fat and improvements in body composition metrics.
ConjuChem Biotechnologies Clinical Programme
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