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Phase IIVendors pendingFacts verified · 2026-05-25

AOD-9604

Also known as hgh fragment 176-191, hgh fragment 177-191 analog, tyr-hgh(177-191), AOD9604 · Wikipedia

AOD-9604 ("Anti-Obesity Drug 9604") is a 16-amino-acid synthetic analog of the C-terminal lipolytic fragment of human growth hormone, comprising residues 177-191 of hGH with an additional N-terminal tyrosine added to stabilize the molecule. The peptide was developed in the 1990s by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (Australia) on the hypothesis that the C-terminal fragment of GH retains the lipolytic and anti-lipogenic activity of the parent hormone without the diabetogenic, IGF-1-stimulating, or growth-promoting effects mediated by the GH receptor. Despite promising rodent data, AOD-9604 failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase IIb obesity trial reported by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals in 2007, and clinical development as an anti-obesity drug was discontinued. The compound was subsequently marketed in Australia as a cosmetic ingredient and was granted self-affirmed GRAS food-ingredient status in the US. It is widely sold today as a research chemical despite weak human efficacy evidence.

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Mechanism of action

AOD-9604 is a 16-residue peptide that retains the putative lipolytic C-terminal sequence of human growth hormone (hGH residues 177-191) but lacks the structural regions required for binding the somatogenic GH receptor; correspondingly, it does not stimulate IGF-1 release or longitudinal growth in animal models (Heffernan et al., 2001, Endocrinology 142:5182-5189, PMID 11713213).

AOD-9604 is a 16-residue peptide that retains the putative lipolytic C-terminal sequence of human growth hormone (hGH residues 177-191) but lacks the structural regions required for binding the somatogenic GH receptor; correspondingly, it does not stimulate IGF-1 release or longitudinal growth in animal models (Heffernan et al., 2001, Endocrinology 142:5182-5189, PMID 11713213). The original C-terminal lipolytic activity of GH was first reported in the 1970s, and the AOD-9604 program at Metabolic Pharmaceuticals attempted to isolate that activity in a discrete short peptide. Preclinical work in obese mice and in beta-3-adrenergic-receptor knockouts indicated that AOD-9604 increases lipolysis and fat oxidation and reduces lipogenesis without inducing hyperglycemia or suppressing insulin secretion, with only partial dependence on the beta-3 adrenergic receptor for its lipolytic effect (Ng et al., PMID 11146367; Heffernan et al., PMID 11673763). The precise molecular receptor on the adipocyte has never been definitively identified, and mechanism proposals invoke direct beta-3 agonism, modulation of hormone-sensitive lipase, or indirect effects on adipocyte energy metabolism. In humans, published lipolytic and weight-loss activity at therapeutic doses has been modest, was not dose-dependent in the Phase IIb obesity trial, and did not meet the primary efficacy endpoint.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Half-life

Plasma t1/2 estimated short (minutes to a few hours) based on limited PK; precise human PK parameters are not publicly published.

Routes

subcutaneous · oral

Bioavailability

AOD-9604 is a peptide and is not meaningfully orally bioavailable; oral formulations historically marketed in Australia as a food/cosmetic ingredient have no demonstrated systemic activity. Subcutaneous injection is the only route with any pharmacological rationale.

Amino-acid sequence

Tyr-Leu-Arg-Ile-Val-Gln-Cys-Arg-Ser-Val-Glu-Gly-Ser-Cys-Gly-Phe (hGH residues 177-191 with N-terminal Tyr; intramolecular Cys-Cys disulfide between Cys7 and Cys14).

Use & research dosing

Fat LossLipolysis SupportWeight Loss

Research framing only. Community self-experimentation protocols typically use 250-500 mcg subcutaneously once daily, often dosed fasted in the morning and sometimes stacked with a GH secretagogue. In the discontinued Phase IIb obesity trial by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, AOD-9604 was administered at 1 mg/day subcutaneously for 12 weeks, producing a mean weight reduction of approximately 2.6 kg versus 0.8 kg on placebo; notably, the 10 mg/day arm showed less weight loss than 1 mg/day, the dose-response was non-monotonic, and the primary efficacy endpoint was not met. No regulatory human dose has been established because the compound is not approved as a drug. Oral formulations sold historically in Australia as food or cosmetic ingredients have no demonstrated systemic absorption and no validated pharmacological activity.

Research-use framing only. SavePeptides sells nothing for human consumption. Doses above reflect reported research / self-experimentation ranges, not clinical recommendations.

Editorial perspective

AOD-9604 is widely marketed in the peptide-vendor ecosystem as a "fat-loss peptide," but the highest-quality human evidence - the Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Phase IIb obesity trial - failed its primary endpoint, and clinical development was discontinued in 2007. Subsequent commercial life consisted of marketing as a cosmetic ingredient in Australia and self-affirmed GRAS status as a US food ingredient. The compound's popularity in the research-chemical community substantially exceeds the strength of the human evidence base. Mechanism in humans remains unclear, the molecular target has not been definitively identified, and no Phase III or post-marketing data exist.

— SavePeptides editorial desk · last updated 2026-05-25

Cautions & contraindications

Before researching this compound, note:

  • Not FDA-approved as a drug; Phase IIb obesity trial failed primary endpoint
  • Evidence of human efficacy is weak and not dose-dependent
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding - no reproductive-toxicity data
  • No established long-term human safety data
  • Injection-site reactions
  • Theoretical caution in GH-sensitive conditions despite lack of GH-receptor activity at standard doses
  • Oral formulations have no demonstrated systemic absorption
  • Vendor purity and identity not independently verified for research-chemical product
  • Avoid in active or suspected malignancy as a precaution despite no direct evidence of tumor promotion
  • Possible cross-reactivity with anti-GH antibody assays

Research foundation

The papers behind the page.

  1. [01]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11713213/
  2. [02]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11673763/
  3. [03]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11146367/
  4. [04]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15134286/
  5. [05]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25208511/

Facts verified

2026-05-25

Confidence

low

What this means

  • Phase IIb obesity trial failed primary endpoint
  • human efficacy weak and not dose-dependent
  • molecular target not definitively identified

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Vendor data coming soon

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AOD-9604 · SavePeptides