Summary

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) modified with a drug affinity complex (DAC) for extended half-life. It stimulates pulsatile growth hormone release through the GHRH receptor. Developed by ConjuChem Biotechnologies, it reached Phase II clinical trials but was not advanced to market. Evidence is primarily preclinical and early-phase clinical.

Mechanism

CJC-1295 acts as an agonist at the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary. By binding GHRH-R, it stimulates the synthesis and pulsatile release of growth hormone. The DAC modification (a maleimidopropionic acid linker attached to a lysine residue) allows the peptide to covalently bind serum albumin in vivo, extending the half-life from approximately 10 minutes (for unmodified GHRH) to 6–8 days. This sustained exposure produces prolonged IGF-1 elevation compared to native GHRH.

Evidence base

Evidence Grading: Limited

CJC-1295 has Phase I and Phase II clinical trial data but was never advanced to Phase III or approved. The evidence base is smaller than for approved GHRH analogues like tesamorelin.

Key studies:

  • Teichman SL, et al. (2006) — development of the DAC technology and extended half-life characterisation; demonstrated prolonged GH and IGF-1 stimulation in healthy adults
  • Ionescu M, Frohman LA. (2006) — demonstrated that pulsatile GH secretion persists during continuous CJC-1295 stimulation
  • Phase I single ascending dose study in healthy volunteers (dose-dependent IGF-1 elevation)
  • Phase II multiple-dose study (weekly dosing, sustained IGF-1 elevation)

Limitations: No Phase III data. Clinical development discontinued. No long-term safety data from large trials.

Protocols

In Phase I/II studies: single doses of 30–300 µg/kg, weekly doses of 1–2 mg SC. Research discussions reference weekly dosing for CJC-1295 with DAC and multiple daily doses for CJC-1295 without DAC. No validated chronic dosing protocol exists. All use is research-only.

CJC-1295 is not a licensed medicine in the UK and is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is sold as a research chemical. CJC-1295 has no MHRA marketing authorisation. Clinical development was discontinued, and no regulatory body has approved it for human use. Researchers should ensure compliance with UK chemicals and workplace safety legislation.

Vendor notes

CJC-1295 is available from several UK research peptide suppliers. Buyers should verify purity via COAs and third-party testing. See the vendor directory for vetted UK suppliers.

References

  1. Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2006;91(3):799–804.
  2. Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2006;91(12):4792–4797.
  3. Castaigne JP, et al. Sustained delivery of GHRH analogs using drug affinity complex technology. Abstract presented at Endocrine Society Annual Meeting. 2004.