Overview
CJC-1295 DAC is a modified GRF(1-29) peptide carrying a Drug Affinity Complex: a lysine-linked maleimidopropionic acid group that reacts with a free cysteine on serum albumin. Once bound to albumin, the peptide is shielded from rapid renal clearance and enzymatic breakdown, extending its half-life from minutes to several days.
It was developed by ConjuChem in the early 2000s and studied in healthy adults, where single administrations produced prolonged, concentration-related increases in growth hormone and IGF-1 lasting more than a week. A later study showed that pulsatile GH secretion was preserved despite the elevated baseline. Clinical development was discontinued, and the compound has never been approved. Researchers now use it mainly as an example of albumin-conjugation technology and as a tool for modelling sustained GHRH-receptor stimulation. It is prohibited in sport and supplied here for research purposes only.
Mechanism studied
- CJC-1295 DAC
- Albumin binding
- GHRH receptor
- Sustained IGF-1
Like other GHRH analogues, CJC-1295 DAC activates the Gs-coupled GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs, increasing cAMP and promoting growth hormone synthesis and release. The distinguishing feature is pharmacokinetic: the maleimide reacts with Cys34 of albumin after entering circulation, creating a long-lived conjugate. In published human studies this yielded a mean half-life of roughly six to eight days, raising trough GH levels and producing a sustained rise in IGF-1, while the underlying pulsatile pattern of GH secretion continued.
Research highlights
- 01Albumin-binding DAC technology extends half-life to several days
- 02Healthy-volunteer studies showed prolonged GH and IGF-1 elevations
- 03Pulsatile GH secretion was preserved alongside raised baseline levels
- 04Clinical development was discontinued before any approval
- 05Prohibited in sport under WADA class S2
Key references
- [1]Teichman et al., 2006 — J Clin Endocrinol Metab 91(3):799–805
- [2]PubMed — reviews on CJC-1295 DAC
- [3]WADA — Prohibited List of Substances and Methods
FAQ
DAC stands for Drug Affinity Complex, a reactive maleimide linker attached to a lysine side chain. It forms a covalent bond with circulating albumin, which greatly extends the peptide's half-life compared with the non-DAC version and makes it useful for modelling sustained receptor activation.
Lyophilized CJC-1295 DAC is normally kept sealed at −20 °C, protected from light and moisture. Once reconstituted for laboratory work, aliquots are held at 2–8 °C for short-term use or frozen, avoiding repeated freeze–thaw. Follow the lot-specific guidance on the certificate of analysis.
Every lot of CJC-1295 DAC ships with a certificate of analysis reporting HPLC purity, mass-spectrometry identity against the expected molecular weight, appearance and lot number. Match the COA lot to the vial label and keep it with your experimental records.
FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY.Not for human or veterinary use. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.