Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295 (No DAC)
Quick Answer
Tesamorelin and CJC-1295 (No DAC) are both GHRH (growth-hormone-releasing-hormone) analogs studied on the somatotropic axis. Tesamorelin is the full 44-amino-acid sequence with a trans-3-hexenoyl group protecting the N-terminus; CJC-1295 (No DAC), or Modified GRF (1-29), is the 29-amino-acid fragment carrying four substitutions that resist the same cleavage. Their reported plasma half-lives are both measured in tens of minutes. Both are sold at Peptide.Express at ≥99% HPLC-verified purity for in-vitro research only.
Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295 (No DAC): At a Glance
| Attribute | Tesamorelin | CJC-1295 (No DAC) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism class | Full-length stabilized GHRH analog | Truncated stabilized GHRH analog (Mod GRF 1-29) |
| Peptide length | 44 amino acids | 29 amino acids |
| Stabilizing modification | Trans-3-hexenoyl group at the N-terminus | Substitutions at positions 2, 8, 15 and 27 |
| CAS number | 218949-48-5 | 863288-34-0 |
| Molecular weight | ~5135.9 Da | ~3367.9 Da |
| Reported plasma half-life | Tens of minutes (Egrifta prescribing information) | Approximately 30 minutes |
| Commonly studied with | Standalone GHRH research | Ipamorelin (ghrelin agonist) |
| Purity (Peptide.Express) | ≥99% HPLC verified | ≥99% HPLC verified |
How Tesamorelin and CJC-1295 (No DAC) Differ in Research
Tesamorelin and CJC-1295 (No DAC) are frequently compared in growth-hormone-secretagogue research because both are GHRH-receptor analogs, yet they differ in length and in how each resists degradation. Tesamorelin is the full 44-residue sequence with a trans-3-hexenoyl group on the N-terminus; CJC-1295 (No DAC) is the 29-residue Modified GRF (1-29) fragment with four amino acid substitutions.
The duration difference is smaller than the naming suggests, and it is worth stating plainly because the opposite is widely repeated. Both modifications target the same vulnerability — DPP-IV cleavage near the N-terminus — and neither produces a long-acting molecule. The Egrifta prescribing information reports a tesamorelin plasma half-life measured in tens of minutes, and Mod GRF (1-29) is reported at roughly 30 minutes. The compound in this family that genuinely circulates for days is CJC-1295 With DAC, which carries an albumin-binding group that neither of these two has.
What separates them in practice is sequence coverage rather than duration. Tesamorelin presents the complete GHRH sequence, including the C-terminal residues absent from the 1-29 fragment; CJC-1295 (No DAC) is the minimal receptor-activating region, which is why it is so often investigated alongside the ghrelin-receptor agonist Ipamorelin to study two complementary GH-secretion pathways.
Both compounds are supplied by Peptide.Express at ≥99% HPLC-verified purity with a full Certificate of Analysis. All material is intended strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and educational use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Tesamorelin and CJC-1295?
Length and the stabilizing modification, not duration. Tesamorelin is the full 44-amino-acid GHRH sequence protected by a trans-3-hexenoyl group at the N-terminus; CJC-1295 (No DAC) is the 29-amino-acid Modified GRF (1-29) fragment carrying four substitutions that resist the same DPP-IV cleavage. Reported plasma half-lives for both are measured in tens of minutes — the long-acting member of this family is CJC-1295 With DAC, which is a different compound. For laboratory research use only.
Which is studied with Ipamorelin — Tesamorelin or CJC-1295?
CJC-1295 (No DAC). It is the analog most commonly paired with Ipamorelin in research, because pairing a GHRH-receptor analog with a GHSR-1a agonist engages two separate GH-secretion pathways at once. Peptide.Express supplies the pairing as a single pre-blended vial.
Are Tesamorelin and CJC-1295 the same purity at Peptide.Express?
Yes — both are HPLC-verified at ≥99% purity by an independent third-party laboratory and ship with a Certificate of Analysis.
References
- Falutz J, et al. "Long-term safety and effects of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue, in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation." AIDS, 2008. Read the tesamorelin long-term safety study on PubMed
- Falutz J, et al. "Tesamorelin Improves Fat Quality Independent of Changes in Fat Quantity." AIDS, 2021. Read the tesamorelin fat quality analysis on PMC
- LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury — Tesamorelin. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH Bookshelf. Read the LiverTox tesamorelin monograph on NCBI Bookshelf
- Egrifta (tesamorelin for injection) FDA prescribing information, 2024. The authoritative source for the approved indication, pharmacokinetic parameters and monitored laboratory values. Read the Egrifta FDA prescribing information (PDF)
- 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." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2006. Read the CJC-1295 (DAC) human dosing study on PubMed
- Raun K, et al. "Ipamorelin, the First Selective Growth Hormone Secretagogue." European Journal of Endocrinology, 1998. Read the Raun ipamorelin selectivity study on PubMed
- Bowers CY, Reynolds GA, Durham D, Barrera CM, Pezzoli SS, Thorner MO. "Growth Hormone (GH)-Releasing Peptide Stimulates GH Release in Normal Men and Acts Synergistically with GH-Releasing Hormone." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 1990. Read the GHRP and GHRH co-administration synergy study on PubMed