CJC-1295, Sermorelin, and Tesamorelin: A GHRH Analog Comparison

Last updated: May 2026

TL;DR: CJC-1295 (with DAC and without DAC), Sermorelin, and Tesamorelin are all synthetic analogs of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). They share a common parent — natural GHRH — but they are chemically distinct compounds with different molecular weights, different modifications, and different research literature. This guide compares the four configurations side-by-side: what’s the same, what’s different, and what each is positioned for in research applications. All four are sold strictly research-use-only.

Side-by-side specifications

How to think about the four

Sermorelin — the unmodified parent analog

Sermorelin is the 29-amino-acid truncated version of GHRH, without any stabilizing modifications. It represents the “minimum biologically distinguishable” version of the GHRH 1-29 motif. Sermorelin has the largest accumulated academic research literature of the four because it’s been studied since the 1970s.

CJC-1295 (no DAC) — the stabilized 1-29

CJC-1295 without DAC (also marketed as MOD GRF 1-29) is the GHRH 1-29 motif with four amino acid substitutions designed to improve metabolic stability versus the native sequence. Same length as Sermorelin (29 residues), different chemistry. The two are not interchangeable in research applications even though they share the parent sequence.

CJC-1295 with DAC — the long-half-life variant

CJC-1295 with DAC takes the stabilized 1-29 backbone and adds a maleimidopropionyl-lysine modification (the “Drug Affinity Complex” or DAC). The DAC modification allows the molecule to bind covalently to serum albumin, dramatically extending its in-serum half-life relative to the non-DAC version. This is the most significant structural change in the comparison — DAC adds roughly 280 g/mol to the molecular weight.

Tesamorelin — the full-length 1-44 with N-terminal modification

Tesamorelin is the full-length 44-amino-acid GHRH (1-44) with a trans-3-hexenoyl modification at the N-terminus. It’s the largest of the four compounds and has its own distinct research literature. Tesamorelin is also the active ingredient in an FDA-approved prescription pharmaceutical for a specific clinical indication; research-grade Tesamorelin supplied here is a distinct, separate supply chain from the clinical product.

When research peptide resellers stock which

Research peptide reseller demand for each:

• Sermorelin — steady demand, historically the most-researched GHRH analog. Often the first GHRH analog a new reseller stocks.
• CJC-1295 without DAC (MOD GRF) — steady demand, often paired with Ipamorelin in research peptide stacks.
• CJC-1295 with DAC — moderate demand, distinguishable from non-DAC by the longer half-life research profile.
• Tesamorelin — moderate but growing demand. The largest single peptide order value of the four because the standard pack size is smaller and per-unit cost is higher.

Sourcing and quality standards (same across all four)

• 99%+ purity verified by reverse-phase HPLC
• Molecular weight confirmed by mass spectrometry on every batch — especially critical for the longer 44-amino-acid Tesamorelin to verify full sequence integrity without truncations
• Third-party Certificate of Analysis (COA) with every batch
• US-based fulfillment with 24-hour shipping
• White-label and private-label options available
• No minimum order quantity

FAQ

Are Sermorelin and CJC-1295 the same compound?

No. They share the GHRH 1-29 motif as their parent sequence, but Sermorelin is the unmodified 29-mer while CJC-1295 (no DAC) has four amino acid substitutions in that sequence. Different molecular weights, different chemistry, different research applications.

What does “with DAC” actually add?

The Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) is a maleimidopropionyl-lysine modification that allows the molecule to bind covalently to serum albumin. This binding extends the in-serum half-life of the peptide dramatically relative to the non-DAC version. The molecular weight increases by roughly 280 g/mol with the DAC modification.

How does Tesamorelin compare to the CJC-1295 family?

Tesamorelin uses the longer 44-amino-acid GHRH (1-44) sequence with an N-terminal modification, while the CJC-1295 family uses the shorter 29-amino-acid GHRH (1-29) backbone. Different lengths, different stabilizing modifications, different molecular weights, different research profiles.

Can a reseller carry all four?

Yes. PeptideDropship partners have access to the full catalog. Most established peptide resellers carry at least Sermorelin and the CJC-1295 family. Tesamorelin is a more specialized add-on that fits well with research-lab-focused partners.

Is the compliance treatment the same for all four?

Tesamorelin requires extra care because the same molecule is also a clinical-grade FDA-approved pharmaceutical in some jurisdictions. Research-grade Tesamorelin must be clearly distinguished from clinical-grade material in all customer-facing labeling. The other three are standard research-use-only compounds without an equivalent clinical product.

Where to go from here

For full specifications on each, see the dedicated wholesale pages: Sermorelin, CJC-1295 (both DAC and non-DAC), and Tesamorelin. For background on the broader business model, see the peptide dropshipping guide, or browse the full wholesale catalog.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. For research purposes only — not for human consumption. PeptideDropship sells research-grade peptides exclusively to verified B2B partners under research-use-only labeling.