AOD-9604: What It Is, What the Research Says, and What You Need to Know
A fragment of human growth hormone studied specifically for fat metabolism
Last updated: May 1, 2026
Educational purposes only. The information on this page is for educational and research purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Research peptides are not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use unless explicitly stated. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any compound.
What Is AOD-9604?
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide fragment derived from the C-terminal region of human growth hormone. It was developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals in Australia specifically to isolate the fat-burning properties of GH.
The idea behind AOD-9604 is to capture the lipolytic effects of human growth hormone without its downsides — particularly the insulin resistance and acromegaly concerns associated with full-length hGH use.
It briefly held FDA Investigational New Drug status and progressed to Phase 2 clinical trials before Metabolic Pharmaceuticals discontinued development.
What Does the Research Say?
- Phase 2 trials showed AOD-9604 did not significantly outperform placebo for weight loss in obese adults.
- Animal studies (obese rodents) show significant fat loss with AOD-9604.
- Does not affect IGF-1 levels or blood glucose — distinguishing it from full-length hGH.
- The gap between animal data and human trial data remains unresolved.
Research context: Animal studies showing positive effects do not guarantee the same results in humans. Human evidence strength varies significantly by peptide — see the Quick Stats sidebar for details.
Common Use Cases in Research
These reflect how researchers and research communities discuss this compound — not therapeutic recommendations.
- Fat loss research
- Body composition optimization
- Research into GH fragment effects
How It Works (Mechanism of Action)
Mimics the way natural growth hormone regulates fat metabolism — stimulating lipolysis (fat breakdown) and inhibiting lipogenesis (fat formation) without affecting IGF-1 levels or blood glucose.
Reported Benefits & Risks
Reported Benefits
Reported Risks
What People Ask
Does AOD-9604 actually work for fat loss?
Animal studies show promising fat loss effects, but the Phase 2 human trials did not demonstrate significant weight loss versus placebo. Its use for fat loss in humans lacks strong clinical support.
Legal & Regulatory Status
Research Only
Research chemical. Not FDA-approved. Previously had FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) status.
Research Suppliers
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