Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295: How the Two Compounds Compare in the Research
Tesamorelin and CJC-1295 (No DAC) are two synthetic growth-hormone-releasing-hormone (GHRH) analog research peptides that are frequently studied (and frequently searched) alongside one another. This page compares their verified chemical identity and the preclinical research models in which each appears. It does not compare human outcomes and does not recommend either compound for any use; both are supplied strictly as research materials.
Tesamorelin is a stabilized synthetic analog of the full 44-residue growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-44), carrying an N-terminal trans-3-hexenoyl modification that increases stability relative to native GHRH. In preclinical literature it is studied as a GHRH-receptor agonist tool compound in GH-axis signaling models.
CJC-1295 No DAC, also called Modified GRF 1-29, is a synthetic analog of the first 29 amino acids of GHRH, carrying four amino-acid substitutions that improve stability but, unlike the DAC-bearing version, no Drug Affinity Complex. Without DAC it does not bind circulating albumin, giving it a short half-life and producing discrete GH pulses rather than sustained elevation in research models.
Both are supplied as lyophilized powders that are water-soluble on reconstitution.
Side-by-side comparison (verified research properties)
| Property | Tesamorelin | CJC-1295 No DAC (Modified GRF 1-29) |
|---|---|---|
| Compound class | Stabilized GHRH (1-44) analog | GHRH (1-29) analog, no DAC |
| CAS number | 218949-48-5 | 863288-34-0 |
| PubChem CID | 16137828 | 56841945 (also indexed 91976842) |
| Molecular formula | C221H366N72O67S | C152H252N44O42 |
| Molecular weight | ~5135.9 g/mol | ~3367.9 g/mol |
| Length | 44 residues (+ N-terminal hexenoyl) | 29 residues, C-terminal amide |
| Parent hormone | GHRH (1-44) | GHRH (1-29) |
| Key modification | N-terminal trans-3-hexenoyl group | Four substitutions (positions 2, 8, 15, 27) |
| Primary research models | GHRH-receptor agonism, GH-axis signaling | Pulsatile GH-secretion, GHRH-receptor signaling |
| Physical form | Lyophilized powder | Lyophilized powder |
Data verified against PubChem (CID 16137828 and 56841945) and corroborating references.
How they differ in the research
The two compounds are studied through different structural lenses in the preclinical record:
- Length and parent sequence. Tesamorelin is based on the full 44-residue GHRH sequence (~5136 g/mol); CJC-1295 No DAC is based on the shorter 29-residue GHRH (1-29) fragment (~3368 g/mol).
- Stabilization strategy. Tesamorelin is stabilized by an N-terminal trans-3-hexenoyl modification on the full-length analog; CJC-1295 No DAC is stabilized by four interior amino-acid substitutions on the 1-29 fragment.
- Pharmacokinetic framing. In research models, CJC-1295 No DAC (without the Drug Affinity Complex) produces short, discrete GH pulses; the DAC-bearing CJC-1295 variant binds albumin for a longer half-life. Tesamorelin is studied as a stabilized full-length GHRH analog. Both are characterized as GHRH-receptor agonists in animal models.
- Overlap. Both are GHRH-analog tool compounds studied in GH-axis signaling literature, which is why researchers reference them together. Any overlap is in the research models studied, not in established human effects. There are no large controlled human trials establishing either compound for the comparisons made here, and neither is offered for human use.
These mechanisms are described strictly in preclinical / animal research contexts; they are not established human-use mechanisms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Tesamorelin and CJC-1295?
Tesamorelin is a stabilized analog of the full 44-residue GHRH (C221H366N72O67S, ~5135.9 g/mol) with an N-terminal hexenoyl modification. CJC-1295 No DAC is a 29-residue GHRH (1-29) analog (C152H252N44O42, ~3367.9 g/mol) stabilized by four amino-acid substitutions. They differ in length, parent sequence, and stabilization strategy, and are both studied as GHRH-receptor agonists in preclinical models.
Are Tesamorelin and CJC-1295 studied together?
They are frequently referenced together in GHRH-analog research literature because both are GH-axis tool compounds. Any association is within research-model contexts only; there are no controlled human trials establishing combined use, and neither is approved for human use.
Which is the larger molecule, Tesamorelin or CJC-1295 No DAC?
Tesamorelin is larger: a 44-residue analog at ~5135.9 g/mol versus CJC-1295 No DAC’s 29-residue ~3367.9 g/mol structure.
Is CJC-1295 No DAC the same as the DAC version?
No. CJC-1295 No DAC (Modified GRF 1-29) lacks the Drug Affinity Complex; the DAC-bearing CJC-1295 is a different, larger compound (PubChem CID 91971820, C165H269N47O46) that binds albumin for a longer half-life in research models.
Are Tesamorelin or CJC-1295 approved for human use?
No. Neither compound, as supplied here, is intended for human consumption, and neither is offered for any human use. Both are offered strictly as research compounds for laboratory use.
For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not approved by the FDA. 21+
- HPLC + MS tested, every batch
- U.S. synthesized
- Batch COA on the product page
