Sermorelin vs Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295: A GHRH Analog Comparison
How three commonly studied GHRH analogs differ in sequence, half-life, and preclinical research context — and what to look for on each one's COA.
For in-vitro and laboratory research only. The compounds below are discussed in the context of published preclinical literature; nothing here is medical guidance.
Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, and CJC-1295 are all synthetic analogs of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). They share the receptor target (GHRH receptor in the anterior pituitary) but differ in sequence length, stability, and the pharmacokinetic profile reported in preclinical studies. This article walks through the differences.
The parent molecule
Native GHRH is a 44–amino-acid peptide produced in the hypothalamus. Its bioactive core is the first 29 residues. Every GHRH analog discussed below is built on or around that GHRH(1-29) fragment.
Sermorelin
Sermorelin is GHRH(1-29) — the bioactive core, unmodified. Half-life in published rodent studies is short, typically reported under 15 minutes. It is the most "native-like" of the three. Available as Sermorelin 5mg and Sermorelin 10mg.
Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is GHRH(1-44) with an N-terminal trans-3-hexenoic acid modification. The modification protects against dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) cleavage, extending the reported half-life relative to Sermorelin. Preclinical and clinical literature in lipodystrophy models is the most-cited Tesamorelin body of work. Available as Tesamorelin 5mg and 10mg.
CJC-1295 (NO DAC)
CJC-1295 NO DAC is a 30–amino-acid analog with four amino-acid substitutions (D-Ala, Gln, Ala, Leu) that stabilize the molecule against DPP-4 cleavage. The half-life is intermediate. Available as CJC-1295 5mg and 10mg. (The DAC-modified form, not in our catalog, adds a maleimide group that covalently binds endogenous albumin, extending half-life dramatically.)
Comparison table
| Attribute | Sermorelin | Tesamorelin | CJC-1295 (NO DAC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequence basis | GHRH(1-29) | GHRH(1-44) + hexenoyl | GHRH(1-30) + 4 substitutions |
| Half-life (reported) | ~10–15 min | ~25–40 min | ~30 min |
| DPP-4 resistance | None | Hexenoyl modification | Amino-acid substitutions |
| Most-cited literature | Pediatric GH-axis studies | Lipodystrophy / visceral fat | Pulse-amplitude research |
Pairing with ghrelin-receptor agonists
All three are commonly studied in parallel with ghrelin-receptor agonists like Ipamorelin to evaluate dual-pathway GH release. See Ipamorelin vs CJC-1295 for that pairing in detail.
What to confirm on the COA
For Sermorelin and Tesamorelin, verify the modification (or lack thereof) is explicitly stated. For CJC-1295, confirm "NO DAC" if that's what you ordered — the DAC and NO-DAC forms have very different stability profiles and are easy to confuse. See how to read a peptide COA for the rest of the checklist.
Reminder: All content above is for laboratory research only. Products are not intended for human consumption.