AOD-9604
HGH fragment 176-191 · AOD9604 · Anti-Obesity Drug-9604
Lipolytic GH fragment; failed to beat placebo for weight loss in Phase 2b (536 subjects)
Overview
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide that reproduces the C-terminal region (residues 176–191) of human growth hormone. Monash University researchers identified this fragment in the 1990s as the segment responsible for growth hormone's fat-metabolism (lipolytic) activity, isolated from the parts of the molecule that drive IGF-1 release, glucose handling, and tissue growth. The goal was a 'fat-loss' molecule with the metabolic effect of GH but not its growth-promoting or glucose-altering effects.
It is important to be candid about the human evidence. An early 12-week study reported only a modest difference from placebo (roughly 2.6 kg versus 0.8 kg), and the pivotal Phase 2b 'OPTIONS' trial — 536 adults with obesity over 24 weeks — failed to produce significant weight loss versus placebo at its primary endpoint. The developer halted the obesity program in 2007 and did not pursue Phase 3. As a weight-loss drug, AOD-9604 is best described as an investigational candidate that did not work in the clinic.
Despite that, AOD-9604 persists in community and compounding settings, where it is also used anecdotally for joint and connective-tissue support. Because the controlled human efficacy data are negative for weight loss and otherwise sparse, this protocol is rated at 'community' confidence; the doses below reflect commonly reported community practice rather than a validated regimen and are an educational reference only.
Key parameters
- Dose range
- 250–500 mcg daily (community)
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Half-life
- Short, on the order of hours (rapidly cleared)
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Vial sizes
- 2 mg · 5 mg
- Regulatory status
- Not an approved drug. Developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (Monash University) and advanced to a Phase 2b obesity trial that failed its primary endpoint; development was discontinued in 2007. Never approved by the FDA, EMA, or TGA. Community use is research-only.
Mechanism of action
Lipolysis stimulation
In isolated fat cells AOD-9604 increased glycerol release (a marker of fat breakdown), an effect blocked by beta-adrenergic antagonists — implicating beta-adrenergic (notably beta-3) receptor-mediated signaling in adipocytes.
Inhibition of lipogenesis
The fragment is reported to reduce new fat formation in addition to promoting fat breakdown, the combination invoked to explain reduced body-fat content in chronically dosed obese rodents.
No growth-hormone-receptor / IGF-1 activity
Unlike intact GH, AOD-9604 does not bind the growth-hormone receptor or raise serum IGF-1, and it does not alter glucose metabolism or drive cell proliferation — the property that originally made it attractive as a 'metabolic-only' fragment.
Dosing protocol & phases
| Phase | Weeks | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (community) | Ongoing | 250–500 mcg daily | Community-derived; often dosed in the morning. Not clinically established for any indication. |
| Course length (community) | ~8–12 weeks | Continue daily, then reassess | No clinical basis defines an optimal duration. |
Reconstitution guide
For educational and research reference only. Not intended for human consumption, not medical advice. Compounds discussed are sold and used for laboratory research purposes only.
5 mg vial + 2 mL bacteriostatic water
Concentration2,500 mcg/mL · 2.5 mg/mL
| Target dose | Draw volume | U-100 units |
|---|---|---|
| 250 mcg | 0.1 mL | 10 |
| 500 mcg | 0.2 mL | 20 |
Common community mix that places typical 250–500 mcg doses in a small, easy-to-read draw.
2 mg vial + 1 mL bacteriostatic water
Concentration2,000 mcg/mL · 2 mg/mL
| Target dose | Draw volume | U-100 units |
|---|---|---|
| 250 mcg | 0.125 mL | 12.5 |
| 300 mcg | 0.15 mL | 15 |
| 500 mcg | 0.25 mL | 25 |
Smaller-vial mix for the same dose range.
Reconstitution calculator
Pre-filled with AOD-9604's vial sizes. Adjust the water volume and target dose to see the exact draw, with warnings for doses that are hard to measure or won't fit a syringe.
At 1,000 micrograms per millilitre, a 250 microgram dose is 0.25 millilitres, or 25 units on a U-100 syringe, giving 8 doses per vial.
Supplies needed
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Recommended supply
AOD-9604 — research vial
From our verified partner Dynotides, with a third-party certificate of analysis per batch.
Injection supplies
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Bacteriostatic water
Diluent for reconstituting lyophilized vials.
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Insulin syringes (U-100)
0.3–0.5 mL, 29–31 G for accurate small draws.
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Alcohol prep pads
Sterile swabs for the vial stopper and site.
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Sharps container
Safe disposal of used needles.
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Storage fridge
Keeps reconstituted vials at 2–8 °C.
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Insulated travel case
Cooled, TSA-friendly case for travel.
Missed-dose guidance
No clinical-label guidance exists because AOD-9604 is not an approved drug. Community practice is simply to skip a missed dose and resume the next day rather than doubling up; given its short duration of action and the lack of human outcome data, no evidence-based recommendation can be made.
Side effects & safety
| Category | Effect | Trial incidence |
|---|---|---|
| General | Generally reported as well tolerated in trialsTolerability was not the reason development stopped — lack of efficacy was; controlled long-term human safety data remain limited. | — |
| Injection site | Local irritation or rednessAnecdotal. | — |
| Metabolic | No meaningful effect on blood glucose or IGF-1Consistent with its lack of GH-receptor activity; presented as a safety feature rather than an adverse effect. | — |
| Safety data | Long-term human safety uncharacterizedNo long-term controlled human safety studies exist outside the discontinued obesity program. | — |
Clinical trials & evidence
Early 12-week obesity study
Phase 212 weeks · Adults with obesity
Modest weight difference (~2.6 kg vs ~0.8 kg placebo); not robust.
Trial identifier needs verification
OPTIONS Phase 2b obesity trial
Phase 2b24 weeks · 536 adults with obesity
Failed to produce significant weight loss versus placebo at the primary endpoint; development discontinued (2007).
Trial identifier needs verification
Storage & handling
- Lyophilized
- Refrigerate the lyophilized powder at 2–8 °C, protected from light.
- Reconstituted
- Refrigerate at 2–8 °C and use within ~28 days; do not freeze.
Comparisons
| Vs. | Target | Half-life | Dosing | Efficacy | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesamorelin | GH fragment (lipolytic) vs GHRH analog (raises GH/IGF-1) | Hours vs minutes (GHRH-type) | 250–500 mcg daily vs ~2 mg daily | Negative for weight loss in Phase 2b vs FDA-approved for HIV lipodystrophy | Not approved vs approved |
| Semaglutide | Lipolytic GH fragment vs GLP-1 agonist | Hours vs ~7 d | Daily vs weekly | No proven weight loss vs −14.9% (STEP 1) | Not approved vs approved |
Sources & references
Frequently asked questions
Is AOD-9604 the same as growth hormone?
No. It is a 16-amino-acid fragment of the C-terminus of growth hormone, selected for fat-metabolism activity. Crucially it does not bind the GH receptor or raise IGF-1, so it lacks the growth-promoting and glucose effects of intact GH.
Does AOD-9604 actually cause weight loss in people?
The controlled evidence says no. Its pivotal Phase 2b trial in 536 adults failed to beat placebo on weight loss, and the obesity program was discontinued in 2007. Claims of fat loss in community use are anecdotal and not supported by the trial data.
Why is the confidence rated 'community'?
Because the one rigorous human efficacy readout was negative and other human data are sparse. We do not assert trial weight-loss percentages or an NCT identifier, and the dosing shown reflects community practice rather than a validated regimen.
Related protocols
Tesamorelin
Egrifta
~−15–18% visceral adipose tissue at 26 weeks (pivotal trials)
CJC-1295 (no-DAC)
Mod GRF 1-29
Short-acting GHRH analog dosed for natural GH pulses
Looking to match this protocol to a verified research vial? Our partner supplier publishes a certificate of analysis per batch.
For educational and research reference only. Not intended for human consumption, not medical advice. Compounds discussed are sold and used for laboratory research purposes only.