Identity a synthetic analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), built on the biologically active GHRH(1-29) fragment (the same fragment as sermorelin) with four amino-acid substitutions that resist DPP-4/peptidase cleavage. The DAC version adds a maleimidopropionyl group (via a lysine at position 30) that binds serum albumin, extending half-life from minutes to ~6–8 days. < 40 aa → peptide. ## Development & history - Technology licensed from University of Saskatchewan researchers (early 2000s); developed by ConjuChem Biotechnologies (Canada) on its DAC bioconjugation platform (mid-2000s), targeting GH deficiency, lipodystrophy, and muscle-wasting.
- Phase 1 (Teichman et al. 2006, JCEM): 21 healthy adults, single subcutaneous doses; sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation for up to ~14 days.
- Phase 2 in HIV-associated lipodystrophy (NCT00267527, 192 patients, 2006).
- Discontinued: the Phase 2 programme was halted after one participant's cardiovascular death. The attending physician judged it most likely due to pre-existing asymptomatic coronary disease and unrelated to CJC-1295, but development was terminated as a precaution. (Some sources also cite commercial/manufacturing reasons.)
- Never FDA-approved; classified as an Investigational New Drug; has lived in research/gray-market use since. No modern Phase 2/3 registered as of 2026. ## Mechanism (as proposed) a GHRH-receptor agonist on pituitary somatotrophs → stimulates GH release → downstream IGF-1. The DAC version's albumin binding produces sustained receptor stimulation and elevated baseline GH/IGF-1 (vs the pulsatile signal of sermorelin or the no-DAC form).