AOD-9604 vs CJC-1295
AOD-9604 (Modified GH-fragment peptide) and CJC-1295 (GHRH analog (long-acting, with Drug Affinity Complex / DAC)) are documented as co-studied in the PeptiDex library. This page puts the two entries side by side on class, molecular weight, half-life, origin, mechanism and studied research areas — every value taken from the entry it belongs to.
Why these two are co-studied
Cross-referenced for research context — not a usage or combination recommendation.
At a glance
| Attribute | AOD-9604 | CJC-1295 |
|---|---|---|
| Compound class | Modified GH-fragment peptide | GHRH analog (long-acting, with Drug Affinity Complex / DAC) |
| Research category | Metabolic & Mitochondrial | Growth & GH-Axis |
| Length (amino acids) | 16 amino acids | 30 amino acids |
| Molecular weight | ~1815 g/mol | Approximately 3647 g/mol (with DAC linker) |
| Half-life | ~20-40 minutes (reported) | Substantially extended vs native GHRH; reported on the order of days (approximately 6-8 days) due to albumin binding via DAC |
| Origin | AOD-9604 is a synthetic, stabilized analog of the C-terminal lipolytic region (residues 176-191) of human growth hormone, developed in the 1990s at Monash University. It adds an N-terminal tyrosine to the native fragment and retains the intramolecular disulfide bridge between the two cysteine residues. | CJC-1295 (with DAC) is a synthetic long-acting GHRH analog based on a modified GHRH(1-29) sequence, developed by ConjuChem. It incorporates a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that binds serum albumin to greatly extend circulating half-life. |
“Not documented” means the PeptiDex entry records no value for that field. Nothing on this page is estimated, and no figure is carried over from one compound to the other.
How AOD-9604 works
AOD-9604 corresponds to the C-terminal fragment of GH that carries the hormone's lipolytic (fat-metabolizing) activity while lacking the regions responsible for GH's growth-promoting and insulin-antagonizing effects. In preclinical models it has been reported to stimulate lipolysis and inhibit lipogenesis. It does not act as a full growth hormone and reportedly does not raise IGF-1 or affect blood glucose in the manner of intact GH.
How CJC-1295 works
CJC-1295 is a GHRH-receptor agonist that stimulates pulsatile GH secretion from the pituitary. Its GHRH(1-29) backbone carries stabilizing amino-acid substitutions (e.g. at positions 2, 8, 15, 27) that resist DPP-4 degradation, and the DAC group forms a covalent bond with albumin, dramatically prolonging its action. This produces a sustained elevation of GH and IGF-1 rather than sharp discrete pulses.
Mechanistic descriptions reflect published research-literature understanding and are quoted from each compound's own entry. Much peptide research is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model); mechanism in humans may differ and is not established for many compounds.
Where each one appears in the literature
The research contexts each entry documents. Listing a research area is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication, and the two lists are not scored against each other.
AOD-9604
CJC-1295
What sets each apart
AOD-9604
Unlike full-length GH or GH secretagogues, AOD-9604 targets only the lipolytic C-terminal region; unlike the raw HGH Fragment 176-191, it carries an extra N-terminal tyrosine intended to improve stability.
CJC-1295
The DAC version's albumin binding gives it a far longer half-life (days) than the no-DAC 'Mod GRF 1-29' (minutes), making it the long-acting member of the CJC-1295 family.
Frequently asked questions
What is AOD-9604 and what class of compound is it?
AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the C-terminal region (residues 176-191) of human growth hormone, modified with an added N-terminal tyrosine and a disulfide bridge between its two cysteine residues. It is studied as a lipolytic (fat-metabolism) peptide that appears to isolate the fat-mobilizing activity of GH. It is a research peptide, not an approved therapeutic in most jurisdictions.
How does AOD-9604 differ from unmodified HGH Fragment 176-191?
AOD-9604 is a stabilized analog of HGH Fragment 176-191: it adds a tyrosine residue at the N-terminus of the native fragment. This modification was engineered in preclinical work to improve metabolic stability and lipolytic activity relative to the raw fragment. Both are studied for fat metabolism, but AOD-9604 is the more characterized, stabilized version.
Does AOD-9604 raise IGF-1 or affect blood glucose in research models?
In preclinical models, AOD-9604 was reported to stimulate lipolysis and inhibit lipogenesis without the growth-promoting or diabetogenic effects associated with full-length growth hormone. Studies indicate it does not meaningfully elevate IGF-1 or disturb glucose handling in the models examined. These findings are from research settings and are not clinical guarantees.
What is CJC-1295 (with DAC)?
CJC-1295 is a synthetic long-acting analog of GHRH(1-29). This slug refers to the DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) version, which carries a maleimidopropionic acid linker that covalently binds serum albumin after injection, dramatically extending its circulating half-life to several days.
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC?
Both share the same modified 29-amino-acid GHRH core with substitutions that resist DPP-IV cleavage. The DAC version adds an albumin-binding complex giving a half-life of roughly 6-8 days, producing a sustained 'GH bleed,' whereas the no-DAC version (Mod GRF 1-29) has only a ~30 minute half-life and produces discrete pulses.
What does the long half-life mean for research design?
Because CJC-1295 with DAC persists for days, it raises the baseline of GHRH tone rather than producing sharp pulses. In research this is described as elevating overall GH and IGF-1 output; studies often examine how this sustained tone interacts with pulsatile GHRP stimulation.
Answers are the ones published on each compound's own PeptiDex entry. They are educational summaries of research-literature context and are not medical advice.