GHRH Analogues

What Defines a GHRH Analogue?

A GHRH analogue is a peptide built on the GHRH sequence that acts as an agonist at the GHRH receptor. Native human GHRH has 44 amino acids [R1]. Its receptor is a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor related to the secretin and VIP receptors, and it signals through cAMP [R2]. Sermorelin and tesamorelin are both listed as GHRH receptor agonists with the target GHRHR [R3][R4].

Analogues differ in length and in how they are modified. Sermorelin is the first 29 residues of human GHRH with a C-terminal amide [R3]. Tesamorelin keeps all 44 residues and adds a hexenoyl group to the N-terminal tyrosine [R4][R6]. Tetrasubstituted GRF(1–29), sold as CJC-1295 No DAC or Mod GRF 1–29, swaps four residues (D-Ala2, Gln8, Ala15, Leu27); CJC-1295 with DAC also adds a lysine with a maleimide linker that binds albumin [R5][R7].

Ipamorelin is not a GHRH analogue. It is a five-residue agonist of the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a), a separate receptor [R8][R9]. It is listed here only because it shares a vial with CJC-1295 No DAC. See sermorelin vs tesamorelin vs ipamorelin for the receptor-level comparison.

GHRH Analogues Compared

Regulatory Status

Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved drug for one indication: reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy [R6]. Sermorelin was an approved US drug from 1990; its products were discontinued, approval was withdrawn in 2009, and FDA later found they were not withdrawn for safety or effectiveness reasons [R10]. CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are not approved; FDA advisers voted against adding either to the 503A compounding list in 2024 [R11][R12]. Research-labeled peptides sold here are none of those approved products.

GHRH Analogues FAQ

What is a GHRH analogue?

A synthetic peptide modeled on growth hormone-releasing hormone that activates the GHRH receptor. Sermorelin and tesamorelin are two examples [R3][R4].

Is ipamorelin a GHRH analogue?

No. Ipamorelin is a ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist. In rat pituitary cells it acted through the GHRP receptor, not the GHRH pathway [R8].

What is the difference between CJC-1295 and CJC-1295 No DAC?

Both share four amino-acid substitutions in GRF(1–29). CJC-1295 with DAC adds a lysine carrying a maleimide group that binds serum albumin; the No-DAC form lacks it [R5][R7]. Human data on CJC-1295 come from the DAC version [R13].

Is sermorelin FDA-approved?

Not currently. Two sermorelin acetate drug products were approved in 1990 and 1997, then discontinued; FDA withdrew their approval effective June 18, 2009 [R10].

How should GHRH analogue peptides be stored?

Store lyophilized powder at −20 °C, protected from light and moisture, and check each batch COA. See how to read a peptide COA.

References

1. Guillemin R, Brazeau P, Böhlen P, Esch F, Ling N, Wehrenberg WB. Growth hormone-releasing factor from a human pancreatic tumor that caused acromegaly. Science. 1982;218(4572):585–587. doi:10.1126/science.6812220. PMID 6812220.
2. Mayo KE. Molecular cloning and expression of a pituitary-specific receptor for growth hormone-releasing hormone. Mol Endocrinol. 1992;6(10):1734–1744. doi:10.1210/mend.6.10.1333056. PMID 1333056.
3. KEGG DRUG. Sermorelin, D08509. kegg.jp/entry/D08509
4. KEGG DRUG. Tesamorelin, D06655. kegg.jp/entry/D06655
5. Jetté 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.
6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Tesamorelin prescribing information, BLA 022505, revised 3/2025. accessdata.fda.gov (PDF)
7. FDA Global Substance Registration System. CJC-1295, UNII 62RC32V9N7. precision.fda.gov
8. Raun 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.
9. FDA Global Substance Registration System. Ipamorelin, UNII Y9M3S784Z6. precision.fda.gov
10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Determination that sermorelin acetate (GHRH 1–29) drug products were not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. Fed Regist. 2013;78(42):14095–14096. govinfo.gov (PDF)
11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee, December 4, 2024: final summary minutes. fda.gov
12. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee, October 29, 2024: final summary minutes. fda.gov
13. Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA. 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.

For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.