RESEARCH MONOGRAPH · KDC-MN-131

CJC-1295 with DAC

May 9, 2026 Kodiac biolabs Research Revised May 30, 2026 2 min read

Our opinion on this compound

63/100

The albumin-binding modification fixes a real pharmacokinetic problem and creates a different one

CJC-1295 with DAC is the version with the drug affinity complex (a maleimidopropionyl group at the N-terminus) that covalently binds to circulating serum albumin via cysteine-34. The native GHRH 1-29 fragment has a half-life of about 7 minutes in plasma because of dipeptidyl peptidase IV cleavage and renal clearance. Stick it on albumin and suddenly you have a half-life measured in days. From a pharmacology design perspective thats genuinely interesting.

The clinical pharmacology data from ConjuChem's program in the mid-2000s showed sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation for over a week from a single injection, with the IGF-1 elevation being the more durable readout. Three published trials in healthy volunteers. The mechanism is what you'd predict: tonic GHRH receptor stimulation at the pituitary, increased pulsatile GH release, downstream hepatic IGF-1.

Here's the thing. The reason the development program stopped wasnt efficacy. It was that tonic GHRH stimulation isnt the same as normal pulsatile physiology. Healthy GH biology operates on pulses, with troughs between, and chronic elevation has receptor desensitization and possibly other consequences that arent fully characterized. The CJC-1295 without DAC has a more pulsatile profile and the without-DAC version is what we'd reach for if pulsatility matters.

What we like: the albumin-binding design is clean chemistry, the half-life extension is reproducible, the IGF-1 readout is measurable, the molecule does what its supposed to do. Combined with ipamorelin or another GHRP it becomes a more interesting research tool because you can study the interaction between basal and pulsatile GH axis stimulation.

What we dont like: people use CJC-1295-DAC like it's interchangeable with the no-DAC version when the pharmacokinetic profiles are fundamentally different. The chronic stimulation profile is its own thing, not just a longer version of GHRH.

Sourcing: 30-residue peptide with a non-natural modification at the N-terminus, which means HPLC purity matters and you want vendors who can validate the DAC group is actually on. We've seen batches sold as DAC variants that ran more like the non-DAC version on mass spec, which is a real QC issue.

Useful tool, frequently misused.

Evidence: 55
Mechanism: 70
Reliability: 65
Safety: 65
Sourcing: 60
Value: 65
Signal: 70
Staying power: 55

Plain-language summary Intrigue 65 / 100

CJC-1295 (with DAC) is the long-acting form of the GHRH analog. The DAC (drug affinity complex) binds to plasma albumin, extending the half-life from 30 minutes to about a week. Used in research for sustained growth hormone elevation. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

Albumin-binding GHRH analog

A long-acting GHRH analog with drug affinity complex (DAC) modification that extends the half-life through albumin binding.

Abstract

CJC-1295 with DAC (CJC-1295 long-acting; CAS 863288-34-0) is a modified GHRH 1-29 analog that incorporates a drug affinity complex (DAC) modification (a maleimidopropionyl-Lys side chain) which enables in vivo conjugation to circulating albumin through a covalent linkage with reduced cysteine 34. The albumin conjugation extends plasma half-life from minutes (for sermorelin) to approximately 6 to 8 days. The compound was developed by ConjuChem (Canada) and reached Phase 2 trials before being discontinued. The non-DAC version of CJC-1295 (without the albumin-binding modification) is the compound covered in our existing CJC-1295 nDAC monograph. The DAC version produces sustained mild GH and IGF-1 elevation rather than the pulsatile pattern of nDAC + GHRP combinations. Reported research dose ranges in the literature use low milligram quantities subcutaneously.

Mechanism of action

DAC-modified GHRH analog with covalent albumin binding for 6-8 day half-life. Sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation.

Reported research dose ranges

Reported research dose ranges in the literature describe low milligram quantities administered subcutaneously.

References

Teichman SL, et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and IGF-1 secretion by CJC-1295. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006.

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KDC-MN-131

The full reference document is provided strictly for research use only. It reports research dose ranges from the published literature, not instructions for use in humans or animals.

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FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

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CJC-1295 with DAC

Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

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Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

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