In short
CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are the two most studied molecules of growth hormone axis research, and they act on two different receptors: CJC-1295 mimics the releasing hormone GHRH, ipamorelin activates the ghrelin receptor. The essentials:
- CJC-1295 is a long-acting GHRH analogue with a half-life of 5.8 to 8.1 days (Teichman 2006)
- Ipamorelin was the first selective growth hormone secretagogue described (Raun 1998)
- They are combined in research because they address two complementary signalling pathways
- Neither molecule is an approved drug anywhere; both exist as research reference material (RUO)
- Sold as a lyophilizate in vials with batch documentation, never as a ready-to-use pen
Everything in this guide refers to laboratory research, not human application.
What is CJC-1295?
CJC-1295 is a modified fragment of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29) with a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that binds the peptide to albumin in the blood. The result is a half-life of 5.8 to 8.1 days instead of minutes: in the study by Teichman et al. (2006, J Clin Endocrinol Metab) a single administration raised growth hormone concentrations 2 to 10 fold in healthy adults. That pharmacokinetic trick is what made the molecule famous.
The albumin-binding principle itself was described by Jetté et al. (2005, Endocrinology) on hGRF-albumin bioconjugates. Importantly, Ionescu and Frohman (2006) showed that the natural pulsatile pattern of GH secretion is preserved during continuous CJC-1295 stimulation, which is one reason the molecule became a standard tool of GH axis research.
What is ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide and the first selective growth hormone secretagogue: in the original characterisation by Raun et al. (1998, Eur J Endocrinol) it stimulated GH release via the ghrelin receptor without affecting cortisol, ACTH or prolactin. That selectivity is its defining property, because older secretagogues of the GHRP family raised the stress hormones as well.
Ipamorelin is short-acting, with a half-life of around two hours, and acts on the GHS-R1a receptor, a completely different target from the GHRH receptor of CJC-1295. It is precisely this receptor difference that explains why the two molecules appear together in research protocols.
Why are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin combined in research?
Because they activate two complementary pathways of the same axis: CJC-1295 provides a long-lasting GHRH signal, ipamorelin adds short selective pulses through the ghrelin receptor. In research models the combination is used to study how the two inputs interact in regulating GH secretion. Published human data exist for each molecule separately; the combination itself is a research convention, not a clinical protocol.
| Property | CJC-1295 | Ipamorelin |
|---|---|---|
| Receptor | GHRH-R | GHS-R1a (ghrelin) |
| Type | GHRH analogue with DAC | selective pentapeptide secretagogue |
| Half-life | 5.8 to 8.1 days | ~2 hours |
| Key study | Teichman 2006 | Raun 1998 |
| Approval status | not approved, research only | not approved, research only |
What does the research blend cost?
The honest benchmark is the price per milligram: at Molequa® the Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 blend costs 53.90 € per 5 mg + 5 mg vial set (5.39 € per mg) and 80.90 € per 10 mg + 10 mg set, with HPLC purity ≥ 99 %, LC-MS identity and EU shipping. Offers far below that level almost always save on the analytics.
| Format | Price | Price per mg |
|---|---|---|
| 5 mg + 5 mg | 53.90 € | 5.39 € |
| 10 mg + 10 mg | 80.90 € | 4.04 € |
Each vial needs bacteriostatic water for reconstitution; bundled with the peptide it costs 3.65 € instead of 8.90 €.
Where to buy: the checklist
For laboratories in the EU the most direct route is an EU supplier with a public certificate: the Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 research blend at Molequa® ships with a batch-specific CoA from the independent laboratory Janoshik Analytical and arrives in 2 to 4 days from the EU warehouse. Related molecules of the axis are collected in the performance research category.
Before every order:
- Batch CoA open before purchase, with the laboratory named
- HPLC ≥ 99 % and LC-MS identity confirmed for each component
- RUO labelling on the product page
- EU warehouse: no customs risk, traceable delivery time
- Lyophilizate in vials, never a pre-filled pen
The typical grey market pitfalls
The most common pitfall is a combined “blend” vial with no per-component documentation: a serious supplier documents ipamorelin and CJC-1295 separately, because purity and identity have to be verified for each molecule. A single vague certificate for a mixed powder proves nothing.
Other warning signs: prices far below 4 € per mg, certificates without a laboratory name, “CJC-1295 with DAC” and “without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29)” offered interchangeably as if they were the same molecule, and overseas shipping advertised as customs-proof. Within the EU no customs apply, so no tricks are needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CJC-1295 and ipamorelin? CJC-1295 is a long-acting GHRH analogue (half-life 5.8 to 8.1 days), ipamorelin a short-acting selective ghrelin receptor agonist (~2 hours). They act on two different receptors.
Is CJC-1295 or ipamorelin an approved drug? No. Neither molecule holds approval from any authority (FDA, EMA). Both are sold strictly as research reference material, not for human use.
Why is ipamorelin called selective? In the original 1998 characterisation it stimulated growth hormone release without raising cortisol, ACTH or prolactin, unlike older GHRP secretagogues.
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and Mod GRF 1-29? The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) binds the peptide to albumin and extends the half-life to days. Mod GRF 1-29 lacks the DAC and acts only for minutes. They are different molecules and should be documented separately.
How is the blend stored? Lyophilized at 2 to 8 °C, protected from light, for 2 to 3 years. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water use within 28 days refrigerated.
How do I verify quality before buying? Open the batch CoA before purchase: laboratory name, batch number, HPLC purity and LC-MS identity for each component of the blend.
Legal note
All Molequa® products are intended exclusively for laboratory research (Research Use Only). They are not medicinal products, dietary supplements or cosmetics and are not intended for human or animal consumption.
