Summary
AOD-9604 is a 16-residue fragment from the C-terminal end of human growth hormone, developed in Australia as an anti-obesity drug. It increased fat breakdown in obese mice, but a 2007 phase 2b trial in people did not show meaningful weight loss versus placebo, and development stopped.
Structure
Residues 177–191 of human growth hormone with an added N-terminal tyrosine. Contains one disulfide bond.
How it works
The C-terminal region of growth hormone was proposed to carry its fat-burning activity without its effects on blood sugar or growth. In rodents, AOD-9604 stimulated lipolysis and reduced fat accumulation without raising IGF-1.
Research use cases
Areas where AOD-9604 has been studied. Inclusion here does not mean it works for that purpose.
- Fat metabolism in obesity models
- Cartilage repair in animal osteoarthritis models
What the research found
Rodent fat metabolism
In obese mice treated for 14 days, the fragment reduced body weight gain and increased fat oxidation, including in mice lacking the beta-3 adrenergic receptor.1
Human safety pooling
An analysis of six randomized trials involving about 900 people found AOD-9604 was tolerated similarly to placebo and did not raise IGF-1 or impair glucose tolerance. The same programme did not show clinically meaningful weight loss.2
Safety and open questions
Human trial data suggest a placebo-like tolerability profile at the doses studied. Products sold for research are not made under pharmaceutical controls.
Regulatory status
Not approved as a drug. Development for obesity was discontinued after phase 2b. Sold for research use.
Status was accurate when this page was last reviewed on October 26, 2026. Regulations change; check with the relevant authority before relying on it.
AOD-9604: common questions
Is AOD-9604 the same as HGH fragment 176-191?
They are closely related and often confused. AOD-9604 is residues 177–191 with an added tyrosine at the N-terminus; “fragment 176-191” is a name used by suppliers for essentially the same sequence. Check the certificate of analysis for the exact sequence.
Is AOD-9604 approved for human use?
Not approved as a drug. Development for obesity was discontinued after phase 2b. Sold for research use.
References
- Heffernan M, Summers RJ, Thorburn A, et al. (2001). The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and beta(3)-AR knock-out mice. Endocrinology.
- Stier H, Vos E, Kenley D. (2013). Safety and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Links open a PubMed search for the exact title, or the original source where one is given.