AOD-9604
Advanced Obesity Drug | Modified hGH Fragment 176-191
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What is AOD-9604?
AOD-9604 is a lab-made fragment of human growth hormone — just the tail end of the hGH molecule — engineered to switch on fat-metabolism pathways without the broader growth-hormone effects of full-length hGH. Early clinical trials tested it for fat-metabolism and joint research, though a later trial did not show the results developers were looking for and the program was discontinued in 2007. Research-grade AOD-9604 sold here is intended strictly for laboratory study, not for use in people or animals.
Key terms:
AOD-9604 is a modified hgh c-terminal fragment.
AOD-9604 is a lab-made piece of human growth hormone — amino acids 177-191, with an extra tyrosine added at one end. Professor Frank Ng developed it at Monash University with Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd in Australia. It increases lipolysis (the breakdown of stored fat) and slows lipogenesis (the making of new fat) by increasing beta-3 adrenergic receptor activity, without the growth-promoting effects of full hGH. Six clinical trials in about 900 participants showed a strong safety record, but the key Phase 2b trial did not show meaningful weight reduction, and development stopped in 2007. Australia's regulator, the TGA, has approved it as iTRAM, injected into the knee joint for osteoarthritis.
Key research areas
- Stimulates fat reduction through lipolysis without growth hormone side effects
- Does not increase IGF-1, affect glucose metabolism, or cause insulin resistance
- Shows promise for cartilage repair
- Excellent safety profile across six clinical trials with ~900 participants
- Does not cause hyperglycemia or cell proliferation
Researched dosing
This table reflects how researchers have structured study dosing for AOD-9604 — note that all six published clinical trials used oral dosing; the subcutaneous ranges shown are community-derived extrapolations without published clinical support.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat-reduction studies | 250-300mcg | Once daily | Subcutaneous |
| Higher-dose fat-reduction studies | 400-500mcg | Once daily | Subcutaneous |
| Joint studies | 250mcg | Once daily | Subcutaneous |
| Starting dose | 200mcg | Once daily | Subcutaneous |
Commonly cycled 12 weeks on, 4+ weeks off.
How it works
At the cell level, AOD-9604 research looks at how the fragment triggers fat-metabolism pathways directly and, over time, increases the number of a specific fat-cell receptor — without the broader growth-hormone signaling of full-length hGH.
AOD-9604 acts through a dual mechanism: acutely, it stimulates lipolysis and energy expenditure through receptor-independent pathways; chronically, it upregulates beta-3 adrenergic receptor (β3-AR) expression in adipose tissue (restoring levels to lean-equivalent) to sustain fat oxidation. This was confirmed by knockout mouse studies where acute effects persisted but chronic weight reduction was abolished without β3-AR. Crucially, it does not bind the GH receptor, does not increase IGF-1, and does not cause hyperglycemia or cell proliferation.
Molecular data
These figures — molecular weight, chain length, sequence — are the chemistry ID researchers use to confirm an AOD-9604 sample is the correct 17-amino-acid hGH fragment, not full-length growth hormone.
- Weight
- 1815.1 Da
- Length
- 17 amino acids
- Type
- Modified hGH C-terminal fragment
YLRIVQCRSVEGSCGF (Tyr-Leu-Arg-Ile-Val-Gln-Cys-Arg-Ser-Val-Glu-Gly-Ser-Cys-Gly-Phe)
Pharmacokinetics
This chart shows how quickly a research dose of AOD-9604 clears the body — notice the very short, sub-hour timescale, which reflects the compound's brief presence in circulation in animal studies.
- Peak
- 0.25 hr
- Half-life
- 0.5 hrs
- Cleared
- ~2.5 hrs
Metabolic Pharmaceuticals trials
Research applications
This section lists the research areas — fat metabolism and joint research chief among them — that scientists have studied for AOD-9604 in clinical trials; a later Phase IIb trial did not confirm earlier results, and development was discontinued.
Fat Reduction
Primary research indication. Increases fat oxidation, plasma glycerol levels, and reduces body weight in obese models without affecting glucose metabolism. Also reduces fat synthesis and storage in adipose tissue, with effects demonstrated in both animal models and isolated human adipose tissue. Unlike full hGH, does not cause hyperglycemia, reduce insulin secretion, or increase insulin resistance.
Joint
Shows promise for cartilage repair. Australia's TGA has approved it as iTRAM for intra-articular knee osteoarthritis.
Dosage reference
- Doses used in research
- 250–500 mcg
- Frequency in studies
- Once daily, morning preferred
- Handling
- Reconstituted solution — research use only; not for administration
- Timeline reported in studies
- Fat Reduction effects typically observed 4-8 weeks
- Storage
- Lyophilized: room temp short-term, freezer long-term. Reconstituted: 2-8°C for 28 days
- Cycle length
- 8-12 weeks
- Break between cycles
- 4 weeks between cycles
Interactions
This list shows which other metabolic- and recovery-research peptides are studied alongside AOD-9604, and why.
Reconstitution & storage
This is the standard laboratory method for turning freeze-dried AOD-9604 powder into a liquid research solution.
- Allow vial to reach room temperature (15-20 minutes)
- Calculate required BAC water volume using calculator below
- Draw BAC water into syringe
- Inject slowly down vial side (not directly onto powder)
- Gently swirl until dissolved (never shake vigorously)
- Store the reconstituted solution refrigerated (2–8°C), labeled with the date and concentration, for laboratory research use only.
Lyophilized: Room temperature short-term; freezer long-term, use within Multiple years when frozen
Reconstituted: 2-6°C, use within 28 days
Open the AOD-9604 reconstitution calculatorQuality indicators
These are the checks researchers use to confirm an AOD-9604 sample is pure and correctly identified — regulatory status has shifted over time, so sourcing verification matters more than usual for this compound.
White Lyophilized Powder - Should appear as white to off-white powder or cake. Uniform appearance indicates proper freeze-drying.
Clear Solution After Reconstitution - When mixed with BAC water, solution should be crystal clear without particles or cloudiness.
Certificate of Analysis - Quality suppliers provide CoA showing purity >98% by HPLC and confirmed amino acid sequence.
No FDA Drug Approval - Not FDA-approved. FDA PCAC recommended against 503A bulks list in Dec 2024. TGA (Australia) approved for intra-articular OA as iTRAM only. US compounding status in flux.
SubQ Route Not Clinically Validated - All six clinical trials used oral dosing. Subcutaneous 200-500mcg protocols are community-derived extrapolations without published clinical evidence.
Discolored or Clumped Powder - Yellow discoloration, excessive clumping, or collapsed appearance may indicate degradation.
WADA Prohibited - Banned by World Anti-Doping Agency. Athletes subject to testing must not use this compound.
What to expect
This timeline reflects what the research literature reports at each study stage — research context for comparing studies, not a personal-results promise.
Minimal noticeable effects, compound building in system
May notice subtle changes in body composition
More noticeable fat reduction, especially with diet and exercise
Continued fat reduction, improved body composition
Safety notes
This section covers regulatory status and handling cautions for AOD-9604, including its WADA-prohibited status — reference context for laboratory researchers, not medical guidance.
- May cause mild injection site reactions
- Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Long-term safety beyond 24 weeks has not been studied
- WADA prohibited substance — banned at all times under S.0 category
- FDA recommended against 503A bulks list inclusion in Dec 2024 citing immunogenicity concerns
- TGA (Australia) approved for intra-articular OA as iTRAM only
Regulatory status
- Not approved by the FDA for any indication.
- Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) (category S0).
- Supplied and described for laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use.
Community data
Community Insights
Based on data the community reported. Not clinical proof.
References
Zero serious adverse events attributed to AOD-9604, zero treatment-related discontinuations. No clinically significant changes in IGF-1, glucose, or insulin. No anti-AOD-9604 antibodies detected.
The 1mg/day oral group achieved 2.8kg mean weight reduction vs 0.8kg for placebo (statistically significant).
AOD-9604 showed no statistically significant weight reduction vs placebo at 12 or 24 weeks. Development was terminated in March 2007.