A heterodimeric protein complex that is composed of cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (product of the CLCF1 gene) and cytokine receptor-like factor 1 (product of the CRLF gene) and is secreted into the extracellular space. The CRLF-CLCF1 complex is a ligand for the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptor complex.