What is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin?
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is a research combination of two peptides that both influence the growth-hormone axis but act through different receptors. CJC-1295 is a modified analog of GHRH(1–29) — the active fragment of growth-hormone-releasing hormone — engineered for extended activity at the GHRH receptor. Ipamorelin is a small pentapeptide (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) described in the literature as the first selective growth-hormone secretagogue (GHRP), acting at the separate ghrelin / GH-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R).
The pairing is studied because the two peptides represent complementary mechanisms: a GHRH analog and a GH secretagogue engage distinct receptors that both converge on the pituitary's somatotroph cells. Throughout this guide, each compound is discussed as a laboratory research peptide only — neither is a medicine, and nothing here describes human or animal use.
The essentials at a glance
GHRH analog
CJC-1295 — a modified GHRH(1–29) sequence studied for extended activity at the GHRH receptor.
GH secretagogue
Ipamorelin — a selective pentapeptide GHRP studied at the separate ghrelin / GH-secretagogue receptor.
Two receptors, one axis
The pairing is studied as a complementary, dual-receptor model of growth-hormone-axis signaling.
99%+ verified purity
HPLC-verified and confirmed by LC-MS, with a batch-specific certificate of analysis — research use only.
Work with research-grade CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
A GHRH analog + GH secretagogue pairing, HPLC-verified to 99%+ purity, with a batch-specific certificate of analysis in every order — for laboratory research use only.
View CJC-1295 + IpamorelinCJC-1295: a long-acting GHRH(1–29) analog
CJC-1295 was characterized in peptide-chemistry research as a strategy to overcome the very short duration of native GHRH. The parent fragment GHRH(1–29) is rapidly cleared, which limits how long it can engage its receptor. CJC-1295 addresses this with covalent bioconjugation:
- Albumin bioconjugation — CJC-1295 was identified as a tetrasubstituted GHRH(1–29) derivative bearing a maleimido group that binds covalently to endogenous serum albumin after administration, an approach described in the literature as extending its plasma half-life.
- Extended activity — in a controlled human pharmacokinetic study, subcutaneous CJC-1295 produced dose-dependent increases in growth hormone and IGF-1 that were sustained for several days, with an estimated half-life of roughly 6–8 days.
- GHRH-receptor mechanism — like sermorelin and tesamorelin, CJC-1295 is studied for engaging the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs to prompt the pituitary's own growth-hormone release, rather than supplying growth hormone directly.
It sits in the same GHRH-analog family as the unmodified Sermorelin fragment and the stabilized full-length analog Tesamorelin; its defining feature in the literature is the albumin-binding modification associated with a substantially longer duration of action.
Ipamorelin: the first selective GH secretagogue
Ipamorelin was developed as part of a peptide-chemistry programme and characterized as the first selective growth-hormone secretagogue. Where CJC-1295 acts on the GHRH receptor, ipamorelin acts on an entirely different one:
- Ghrelin / GH-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) — pharmacological profiling with GHRP and GHRH antagonists demonstrated that ipamorelin stimulates growth-hormone release via a GHRP-like receptor, the same receptor class engaged by ghrelin.
- Selectivity — in the original characterization, ipamorelin released growth hormone with potency comparable to GHRP-6 but, unlike earlier GHRPs, did not significantly raise ACTH or cortisol, a selectivity profile that drew research interest.
- Complementary to GHRH analogs — because the ghrelin-receptor and GHRH-receptor pathways are distinct, secretagogues such as ipamorelin are frequently studied alongside GHRH analogs like CJC-1295.
Additional preclinical work has examined ipamorelin's growth-hormone-related metabolic effects — for example, studies in rodent models investigated its influence on nitrogen balance during glucocorticoid-induced catabolism and on bone-formation markers — always in the context of controlled animal research.
Why the two are studied together
The rationale researchers cite for pairing a GHRH analog with a GH secretagogue is mechanistic complementarity — two receptors, two signals, one axis. The table below places the combination alongside related growth-hormone-axis research peptides:
| Compound | Class | Receptor |
|---|---|---|
| CJC-1295 | GHRH analog | GHRH receptor |
| Sermorelin | GHRH analog | GHRH receptor |
| Tesamorelin | GHRH analog | GHRH receptor |
| Ipamorelin | GH secretagogue (GHRP) | Ghrelin / GHS receptor |
Because GHRH analogs and secretagogues stimulate the somatotrophs through separate routes, they are commonly studied as a combined tool. Peptora offers the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin pairing alongside standalone Sermorelin and the Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin blend, each with its own batch-specific certificate of analysis. For the mechanisms in more depth, see the Sermorelin and Tesamorelin guides.
What the research explores
Across the underlying literature on the two components, a handful of connected research areas recur:
- Growth-hormone axis — how GHRH-receptor and ghrelin-receptor activation influence endogenous growth-hormone secretion in research models.
- IGF-1 signaling — the downstream insulin-like growth factor 1 response used as a marker of GH-axis activity, examined in the CJC-1295 pharmacokinetic literature.
- Pulsatility and duration — how a long-acting GHRH analog interacts with the pituitary's pulsatile release pattern, a recurring theme in the CJC-1295 work.
- Secretagogue selectivity — ipamorelin's selective GH-release profile relative to earlier, less selective GHRPs.
Two points of context matter. First, much of this literature describes historical clinical and preclinical research on the individual compounds, not the specific research-grade combination Peptora supplies. Second, these are descriptions of published findings — they are not efficacy claims, and nothing here describes or endorses use outside controlled research.
Purity, testing & certificates of analysis
In research, the reliability of a result depends on the identity and purity of the material behind it. Every batch of CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin from Peptora is HPLC-verified to 99%+ purity, confirmed by LC-MS identity testing, and screened across a full quality-control panel before release. Each order ships with a lot-specific certificate of analysis (COA) so the material can be matched to its documentation.
Researchers often choose Peptora precisely because this documentation is standard rather than optional. To understand what each figure on a report means, see the guide on purity and certificates of analysis and the overview of testing standards.
Handling CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin in the laboratory
The combination is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Before research use it is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, which is sold separately. Careful handling preserves peptide integrity and the validity of downstream work:
- 1Allow the sealed vial to reach room temperature before opening.
- 2Add bacteriostatic water slowly against the vial wall; swirl gently and do not shake.
- 3Let the powder dissolve fully before drawing.
- 4Store the reconstituted solution refrigerated and protected from light.
Full step-by-step protocols live in the reconstitution guide and the storage guide. Following them consistently is one of the simplest ways to keep research reproducible.
Scientific references
The literature below is provided for educational context, per PubMed, and describes pharmacokinetic, structure-activity, and preclinical research on CJC-1295 and ipamorelin — not the laboratory research product supplied by Peptora. It is a summary of published findings, not clinical guidance.
- 1Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. 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. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(3):799-805. doi:10.1210/jc.2005-1536 (PMID: 16352683).
- 2Jetté L, Léger R, Thibaudeau K, et al. Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog. Endocrinology. 2005;146(7):3052-3058. doi:10.1210/en.2004-1286 (PMID: 15817669).
- 3Alba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A, et al. Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006;291(6):E1290-E1294. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00201.2006 (PMID: 16822960).
- 4Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998;139(5):552-561. doi:10.1530/eje.0.1390552 (PMID: 9849822).
- 5Aagaard NK, Grøfte T, Greisen J, et al. Growth hormone and growth hormone secretagogue effects on nitrogen balance and urea synthesis in steroid treated rats. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2009;19(5):426-431. doi:10.1016/j.ghir.2009.01.001 (PMID: 19231263).
- 6Andersen NB, Malmlöf K, Johansen PB, et al. The growth hormone secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation of adult rats. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2001;11(5):266-272. doi:10.1054/ghir.2001.0239 (PMID: 11735244).
Explore research-grade CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
HPLC-verified to 99%+ purity, batch-specific COA, fast U.S. shipping — for laboratory research use only.
View CJC-1295 + IpamorelinKey takeaways
- CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is a research combination of two growth-hormone-axis peptides that act through different receptors — a GHRH analog and a GH secretagogue.
- CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH(1–29) analog identified with an albumin-binding modification associated in the literature with a substantially extended half-life (roughly 6–8 days in a human pharmacokinetic study).
- Ipamorelin is characterized as the first selective growth-hormone secretagogue, acting on the ghrelin / GH-secretagogue receptor and, unlike earlier GHRPs, not significantly raising ACTH or cortisol in the original study.
- The two are studied together because a GHRH analog and a secretagogue engage complementary, distinct receptors that both converge on pituitary growth-hormone release.
- Both are laboratory research compounds only; the underlying literature describes historical clinical and preclinical findings, not the specific combination Peptora supplies, and makes no efficacy claims.
- Peptora's CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is a lyophilized powder, HPLC-verified to 99%+ purity with a lot-specific certificate of analysis, reconstituted with bacteriostatic water before research use.
Frequently asked questions
This article is intended solely as an educational summary of publicly available scientific literature. Products offered by Peptora are supplied exclusively for laboratory research purposes and are not approved for human or veterinary use. The information presented should not be interpreted as medical advice, treatment recommendations, or clinical guidance.
