Short answer: CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH 1-29 analogue (the active fragment of growth hormone-releasing hormone) and ipamorelin is a selective pentapeptide ghrelin mimetic. They act through different receptors - CJC-1295 on the pituitary GHRH receptor, ipamorelin on the GHS-R1a ghrelin receptor - which is why the pair is the most-studied GHRH + GHRP combination in the GH-secretagogue research literature. Neither is approved by any major regulator. New-U catalogues both as lyophilised reference peptides on the HGH / Somatropin shelf: CJC-1295 with DAC, CJC-1295 no-DAC, and ipamorelin - sealed vials, per-batch CoA, research use only.
Search interest in “CJC-1295 ipamorelin” has climbed from roughly 27,000 monthly US queries in late 2025 to over 60,000 per month in 2026 - the fastest-growing combination search in the GH-secretagogue space. This guide explains both molecules, why the pairing has mechanistic logic rather than just marketing logic, the difference between CJC-1295 with and without DAC, and how research-grade reference peptide sits on the New-U catalogue. For the related single-molecule GHRH guide see Tesamorelin: A Research Guide.
Plain-English summary. CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are unapproved research peptides. There are no licensed medicines based on either molecule. New-U sells them as lyophilised reference reagents labelled research use only, not for human consumption, with no dosing or therapeutic guidance. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice; do not use unapproved peptides on people.
CJC-1295 is built on the 29-amino-acid active fragment of human GHRH - the same 1-29 sequence as sermorelin. The engineering changes are:
The two variants therefore behave very differently:
| Variant | Modification | Half-life | GH profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJC-1295 no-DAC (“Mod-GRF 1-29”) |
Aib substitutions only | ~30 min | Preserved pulsatile GH release - mirrors physiological GHRH |
| CJC-1295 with DAC | Aib + maleimide-lysine for albumin binding | ~6–8 days | Continuous, flatter GH elevation - non-physiological “GH bleed” |
The mechanistic distinction matters because endogenous GH is released in pulses every ~3 hours; flat continuous elevation produces different downstream effects than amplified pulses, and the body’s feedback loops (somatostatin, IGF-1 negative feedback) respond differently to each. This is the same trade-off discussed in our tesamorelin guide.
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide - just 5 amino acids - with the sequence Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2. Despite its short length it is a fully functional growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP): it activates the GHS-R1a ghrelin receptor on the pituitary, triggering a GH pulse through a pathway entirely separate from GHRH.
Ipamorelin was developed by Novo Nordisk in the late 1990s as a successor to the earlier GHRPs (GHRP-6, GHRP-2, hexarelin), specifically to address the side-effect profile of that earlier class:
The pentapeptide’s half-life is approximately 2 hours. Ipamorelin never reached approval; Novo Nordisk discontinued its development for commercial reasons in the early 2000s. It remains a widely studied reference compound in the GH-secretagogue research literature.
GHRH and ghrelin signalling act on different pituitary somatotroph receptors but the downstream GH-release pathways are complementary, not redundant. The result, well-documented in clinical-physiology literature, is that combined GHRH + GHRP stimulation evokes a GH pulse that is meaningfully larger than the sum of either peptide alone. The mechanism is thought to involve simultaneous activation of two parallel intracellular signalling cascades that converge on GH release.
In research practice, the pair has therefore been studied together - a short-half-life GHRH analogue (CJC-1295 no-DAC, or sermorelin) plus a selective GHRP (ipamorelin) - precisely because the combination preserves physiological pulse architecture while delivering a larger amplitude pulse than either alone.
How the GHRH-family options compare:
| Compound | Class | Receptor | Half-life | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesamorelin | GHRH analogue (full 1-44) | GHRH-R | ~26 min | FDA approved (Egrifta) |
| Sermorelin | GHRH fragment (1-29) | GHRH-R | ~10–20 min | Previously approved (Geref, discontinued 2008) |
| CJC-1295 no-DAC | GHRH fragment (1-29 + Aib) | GHRH-R | ~30 min | No approval |
| CJC-1295 with DAC | GHRH fragment + albumin binder | GHRH-R | ~6–8 days | No approval |
| Ipamorelin | GHRP / ghrelin mimetic | GHS-R1a | ~2 hours | No approval |
On the New-U catalogue, both peptides sit on the HGH / Somatropin shelf as lyophilised reference compounds.
Standard New-U handling applies to all three: independently verified by Janoshik Analytics and Freedom Diagnostics, per-batch Certificate of Analysis, tracked worldwide delivery, no human-use claims, operated by a Wyoming-registered distributor.
The CoA standard is the same as for the rest of the catalogue. For each compound:
Full walkthrough: How to Read a Certificate of Analysis.
Both CJC-1295 (either variant) and ipamorelin are stable lyophilised at −20°C for long-term storage. Ipamorelin’s pentapeptide structure is among the most robust in the GH-secretagogue class. Reconstituted material should be stored at 2–8°C and protected from light. Both peptides reconstitute readily in bacteriostatic water; mg-to-mL volume calculation is in our reconstitution calculator and full handling protocol is in How to Store Peptides.
Walk away from any listing that:
What is CJC-1295?
A synthetic 30-residue analogue of GHRH 1-29 with Aib substitutions for DPP-4 resistance. Offered in two forms: with DAC (extended half-life via albumin binding) and without DAC (preserved pulsatile GH release).
What is ipamorelin?
A synthetic pentapeptide (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) that selectively activates the GHS-R1a ghrelin receptor. Unlike older GHRPs, ipamorelin does not stimulate cortisol, prolactin or appetite at standard research doses.
Why are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin studied together?
They act on different receptors (GHRH-R and GHS-R1a). The two parallel signalling pathways potentiate each other, evoking a larger GH pulse together than either peptide alone.
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and CJC-1295 no-DAC?
DAC is a maleimide-lysine modification that covalently binds plasma albumin, extending half-life from ~30 minutes (no-DAC) to ~6–8 days. DAC produces continuous flat GH elevation; no-DAC preserves the natural pulsatile pattern.
Are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin research compounds on this site?
Yes. New-U catalogues CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 no-DAC and ipamorelin as lyophilised reference peptides with per-batch Certificates of Analysis. Sold research use only, not for human consumption.
External links are provided for research reference only; New-U is not affiliated with the cited organisations and links carry no endorsement either way.
New-U Research Compounds catalogues CJC-1295 (DAC and no-DAC) and ipamorelin as lyophilised reference peptides - sealed 10-vial packs, independently verified by Janoshik and Freedom Diagnostics for >99% HPLC purity, with per-batch Certificates of Analysis. Tracked worldwide delivery. Research use only - not for human consumption.
View HGH research range