AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176–191) studied as a fat-metabolism research compound. The hypothesis behind it is that the lipolytic activity of full HGH can be separated from the growth and insulin-resistance effects. Phase 2 trials in the 2000s showed a modest weight-loss signal but the compound never reached FDA approval.
Research notes
How does AOD-9604 work?
AOD-9604 is a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone corresponding to residues 176–191 of the full hGH molecule. The fragment was originally developed as an anti-obesity drug candidate (Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, Australia, 2000s) on the hypothesis that the lipolytic activity of growth hormone could be separated from the growth-promoting and insulin-resistance effects.
The mechanistic claim is that AOD-9604 retains the fat-metabolism signaling of full HGH while not activating the IGF-1 axis or producing the insulin-resistance side effects associated with full HGH protocols. Phase 2 clinical trials in the early 2000s tested this thesis and showed a modest weight-loss signal — but not enough to support a successful drug-development pathway, and the compound did not advance to FDA approval.
Despite the failed drug-development trajectory, AOD-9604 continues to appear in research-peptide catalogs as a fat-loss-research compound.
What doses are used in research?
The published Phase 2 trial used 250–500 mcg daily subcutaneous. Research-protocol literature typically follows the same range:
- 250 mcg daily as a lower-end protocol
- 500 mcg daily as the most-cited research dose
- Morning administration is standard, on an empty stomach where the protocol allows
Half-life is short (~30 minutes), but the lipolytic signaling is reported to persist for several hours after each dose.
What are the known side-effect concerns?
The Phase 2 trial reported a side-effect profile broadly comparable to placebo at the studied doses. The compound was selected for development specifically because of its favorable side-effect profile relative to full HGH. Research-protocol literature reports:
- Minimal injection-site reactions at standard doses
- No reported insulin-resistance signal in published trial data
- No reported IGF-1 elevation — a structural feature, not a clinical surprise
What does this guide cover?
Public Janoshik testing data on AOD-9604 is currently limited — only one publicly-submitted test in our local mirror as of May 2026. The compound is structurally smaller and simpler than tesamorelin (16 amino acids vs 44), so synthesis quality across vendors tends to be more uniform. Vendor audits for AOD-9604 focus on identity confirmation; the more interesting question is usually whether the vendor's product is correctly labeled as the 176–191 fragment vs the full HGH molecule.
What it's researched for
- fat metabolism research
- lipolysis studies
- HGH fragment research
Where to source it
ALL 6 VENDORS →RANKED BY COMPOSITE SCORE · PRICES ARE SNAPSHOTS FROM THE PRICE INDEX · PER-MG IS A WITHIN-COMPOUND COMPARATOR
Frequently asked about AOD-9604
What is AOD-9604?
AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid fragment of human growth hormone, corresponding to residues 176–191 of the full hGH molecule. It was originally developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals as an anti-obesity drug candidate.
How is AOD-9604 different from full HGH?
AOD-9604 retains only the lipolytic (fat-metabolism) signaling region of HGH and was designed to avoid activating the IGF-1 axis or producing the insulin-resistance side effects seen with full HGH protocols. In published research it does not raise IGF-1 the way full HGH does.
Is AOD-9604 FDA-approved?
No. AOD-9604 completed Phase 2 trials in the 2000s but did not advance to a successful drug-development pathway. It is sold only as research-grade material and is not approved for any human indication by the FDA, EMA, or other regulators.
What dose is used in AOD-9604 research?
Published research literature cites 250–500 mcg daily subcutaneous, typically administered in the morning. Half-life is approximately 30 minutes, which is why daily dosing schedules dominate the literature.
What is the typical purity of research-grade AOD-9604?
In the 2,087-result lab record behind our [purity study](/articles/peptide-purity-fill-2087-lab-results) (Kovera, Janoshik and four vendor-published sets, duplicates counted once), AOD-9604 has 22 results from 17 clients. Median HPLC purity was 99.84% and the lowest 97.28%. Purity is high, but fill is less even: of 21 results with a measured content, 2 held under 90% of label and 3 under 95%, though the median was 110.2%. None failed identity. These are results vendors chose to publish, not a random sample.