CJC-1295 vs IGF-1 LR3
CJC-1295 (GHRH analog (long-acting, with Drug Affinity Complex / DAC)) and IGF-1 LR3 (IGF-1 analog (Long R3 IGF-1 variant)) 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 | CJC-1295 | IGF-1 LR3 |
|---|---|---|
| Compound class | GHRH analog (long-acting, with Drug Affinity Complex / DAC) | IGF-1 analog (Long R3 IGF-1 variant) |
| Research category | Growth & GH-Axis | Growth & GH-Axis |
| Length (amino acids) | 30 amino acids | 83 amino acids |
| Molecular weight | Approximately 3647 g/mol (with DAC linker) | Approximately 9111 g/mol |
| Half-life | Substantially extended vs native GHRH; reported on the order of days (approximately 6-8 days) due to albumin binding via DAC | Substantially longer than native IGF-1; reported on the order of many hours (approximately 20-30 hours) due to reduced IGFBP binding |
| Origin | 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. | IGF-1 LR3 (Long R3 IGF-1) is a synthetic analog of insulin-like growth factor 1 with an arginine substituted for glutamate at position 3 and a 13-amino-acid N-terminal extension, giving an 83-residue peptide. It was originally developed for cell-culture applications. |
“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 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.
How IGF-1 LR3 works
IGF-1 LR3 is an agonist of the IGF-1 receptor, driving the same anabolic and proliferative signaling as native IGF-1. The Arg3 substitution and N-terminal extension sharply reduce its affinity for IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), leaving more peptide free and biologically active and greatly extending its functional half-life relative to native IGF-1.
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.
CJC-1295
IGF-1 LR3
What sets each apart
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.
IGF-1 LR3
IGF-1 LR3 is engineered for a long half-life via Arg3 substitution and an N-terminal extension that minimize IGFBP binding, contrasting with the short-acting, truncated IGF-1 DES.
Frequently asked questions
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.
What is IGF-1 LR3?
IGF-1 LR3 (Long R3 IGF-1) is an 83-amino-acid analog of insulin-like growth factor-1 with an arginine substituted at position 3 and a 13-amino-acid N-terminal extension. It is an IGF-1 receptor agonist engineered for very low IGF-binding-protein affinity and greatly extended stability.
How does IGF-1 LR3 differ from IGF-1 DES?
Both reduce IGFBP binding, but IGF-1 LR3's modifications give it a long half-life (~20-30 hours) versus IGF-1 DES's ~20-30 minutes. LR3 is studied for sustained systemic IGF-1 receptor activation, whereas DES is studied for short, localized action.
Why does IGF-1 LR3 have such an extended half-life?
The Arg3 substitution plus the N-terminal extension sharply lower its affinity for IGF-binding proteins while improving metabolic stability, so the peptide circulates far longer than native IGF-1. The research literature reports it is roughly three times more potent than native IGF-1.
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.