7×
β3-AR Upregulation
Fat-burning receptors
⚠️ FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY — This compound is not FDA approved. All data presented is from clinical trials for educational reference.
Metabolic/Weight Loss Peptide
AOD-9604
Anti-Obesity Drug 9604hGH Fragment 177-191Tyr-hGH177-191
A 15-amino acid lipolytic peptide that stimulates the breakdown or destruction of fat cells (lipolysis) and inhibits the metabolic formation of fat (lipogenesis) in animal studies. Premium Research Peptide.
Dosage
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70%
Cartilage Regeneration
Rabbit OA model
2.8kg
Weight Loss
12 weeks, 1mg daily
100%
Blood Sugar Safe
No glucose impact
0%
Antibodies Formed
No immunogenicity
How AOD-9604 Works
The Science, Simplified
Selective Fat Burning
Unlike full growth hormone (which affects blood sugar and muscle growth), AOD-9604 contains only the fat-burning portion of hGH. This 15-amino acid fragment activates lipolysis (fat breakdown) while inhibiting lipogenesis (fat creation) without the side effects of full hGH treatment.
β3-ARPrimary
β3-Adrenergic Pathway
Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptors
Increases fat oxidation
Enhances lipolytic sensitivity
Upregulates β3-AR expression
HSLModerate
Lipolytic Cascade
Hormone-Sensitive Lipase
Breaks down stored fat
Releases fatty acids
Reduces adipose tissue
Key Mechanism
Why It's Different from HGH
AOD-9604 mimics only the lipolytic (fat-burning) effects of human growth hormone without affecting blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, or IGF-1 levels — making it potentially safer than full hGH treatment.
No systemic effects: Studies confirmed AOD-9604 does not affect carbohydrate metabolism or produce anti-AOD9604 antibodies, addressing major concerns with hGH therapy.
Fat oxidation↑ Similar to hGH
IGF-1 levelsNo change
Blood glucoseNo effect
Insulin sensitivityUnchanged
Emerging Application
Cartilage Regeneration
Beyond fat loss, AOD-9604 has shown promising results for joint health in preclinical studies.
Osteoarthritis research: Intra-articular AOD-9604 injections enhanced cartilage regeneration by 70% in rabbit models, with even better results when combined with hyaluronic acid.
What Research Has Shown
Summary of clinical trial findings
2.8kg
Average Weight Lost at 1mg Daily
Weight Loss Results (12 Weeks)
Low dose (0.25mg)-2.6%
Medium dose (0.5mg)-2.7%
High dose (1mg)-2.8%
Placebo-0.8%
Trial context: While initial 12-week trials showed modest weight loss, the 24-week Phase 2b OPTIONS study did not meet commercial viability endpoints. However, the compound demonstrated an excellent safety profile.
Research Findings
Key Clinical Observations
Data from multiple human and animal studies
100%of subjects
Showed no effect on blood sugarAll doses tested
0%of subjects
Developed antibodies to AOD-9604No immunogenicity
70%of subjects
Cartilage regeneration improvementRabbit OA model
Important context: AOD-9604 development for obesity was discontinued after Phase 2b, but research continues for joint health and other metabolic applications.
Comparison
AOD-9604 vs Other Approaches
AOD-9604 (1mg)
2.8%kg
Lifestyle alone
0.8%kg
Orlistat
2.9%kg
Note: Comparisons from different trials should be interpreted cautiously. Orlistat data from separate meta-analysis.
Beyond Weight Loss
Other benefits observed in research
Joint
Regeneration
Enhanced cartilage repair in OA models
Kwon et al., 20150
Glucose Impact
No effect on blood sugar levels
Stier et al., 2013↑7×
β3-AR Expression
Upregulated fat-burning receptors
Heffernan et al., 2001Safe
ProfileSafety assessment
Placebo-like side effect profile
Multiple trialsJoint Health
Cartilage Regeneration Potential
Preclinical studies show promising results for osteoarthritis treatment through direct cartilage repair mechanisms.
Cartilage thickness↑ 70%
Combined with HA↑ Enhanced effect
Weekly injections0.25mg dose
Treatment duration4-7 weeks
Research finding: Intra-articular AOD-9604 injections using ultrasound guidance showed superior results when combined with hyaluronic acid versus either treatment alone.
Metabolism
Selective Fat Oxidation
Increases fat burning without affecting muscle mass or blood sugar regulation.
Fat oxidation
+75%Muscle impact
+0%Glucose effect
+0%Safety
Excellent Tolerability Profile
Six human clinical trials have consistently shown AOD-9604 to be safe and well-tolerated.
600+
Patients studied with no serious adverse events
Key safety findings: No anti-AOD9604 antibodies detected, no impact on IGF-1 levels, no effect on carbohydrate metabolism, indistinguishable from placebo in side effects.
Dosing Information from Research
From clinical trial protocols
AOD-9604 has been studied via multiple administration routes with different dosing protocols for weight loss versus joint applications.
Clinical Trial Protocol
OPTIONS Trial Protocol (Weight Loss)
Oral administration for obesity treatment
1-12Week
0.25-1mg
Once daily
Oral administration
13-24Week
0.25-1mg
Once daily
Extended treatment phase
Three dose levels tested: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, and 1mg daily
No dose-dependent response observed above 0.25mg
Taken as oral formulation once daily
No food restrictions reported
Preclinical Protocol
Joint Health Protocol
Intra-articular injection for osteoarthritis
1-4Week
0.25mg
Weekly injection
Intra-articular
5-7Week
0.25mg
Weekly injection
Optional extension
AltCOMBO
0.25mg + 6mg HA
Weekly
Enhanced protocol
Ultrasound-guided injection recommended
Can be combined with hyaluronic acid for enhanced effect
Lower dose than systemic administration
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetic Profile
RouteOral or subcutaneous
BioavailabilityAbsorption when taken orallyGood oral absorption
MetabolismPeptidase degradation
Half-lifeNot well established
Modified C-terminal prevents rapid degradation
Oral bioavailability improved versus native peptide
No accumulation observed with daily dosing
Important Notes
- AOD-9604 is not approved for human use by any regulatory agency
- Banned by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) for athletic competition
- Research protocols varied significantly in route and dosing
Safety Profile from Research
What clinical studies report
AOD-9604 demonstrated an excellent safety profile across all human trials, with side effects comparable to placebo.
Common Digestive Issues
15%
Injection site reactions
mild
8%
Headache
mild
5%
Fatigue
mild
3%
Nausea
mild
Key Safety Finding
No Metabolic Effects
Unlike full hGH, AOD-9604 showed no effect on:
- Blood glucose levels remained unchanged
- No impact on insulin sensitivity
- No elevation of IGF-1 levels
- No development of anti-AOD9604 antibodies
Discontinuation Rates
Treatment Discontinuation
0.25mg<5%
0.5mg<5%
1mg<5%
Discontinuation rates similar to placebo
No serious adverse events reported
Most discontinuations unrelated to treatment
Trial Exclusions
Trial Exclusion Criteria
Pregnancy or breastfeedingType 1 or uncontrolled Type 2 diabetesRecent weight loss surgeryActive malignancySevere kidney or liver diseaseUse of weight loss medications
Researcher Notes
- Over 600 subjects exposed to AOD-9604 across 6 clinical trials
- No evidence of tachyphylaxis (tolerance) development
- Safety profile maintained over 24-week treatment period
Compound Information
Technical specifications
Molecular Profile
What Is AOD-9604?
TypeModified peptide fragment
OriginhGH fragment 177-191
Molecular Weight~1,815 g/mol
Amino Acids15 (modified)
SequenceTyr-hGH(177-191)
ModificationTyrosine addition at N-terminus
Storage Requirements
Stability Information
Protect from lightAvoid repeated freeze-thawUse bacteriostatic water for reconstitution
Lyophilized (powder)
-20°C•stable 2+ years
Reconstituted
2-8°C•use within 30 days
Working solution
2-8°C•use within 7 days
Development Status
Where It Stands
Phase 2b completedNot FDA approvedWADA prohibited
DeveloperMetabolic Pharmaceuticals
Primary researchObesity treatment
Phase 2b ResultsDid not meet endpoints
Current statusResearch compound only
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about AOD-9604 research
AOD-9604 is a modified 15-amino acid fragment of human growth hormone (hGH 177-191) with an added tyrosine at the N-terminus. It was developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals as an anti-obesity drug that would provide the fat-burning benefits of hGH without its negative effects on blood sugar and IGF-1 levels.
Initial 12-week trials showed modest weight loss of 2.6-2.8 kg compared to 0.8 kg with placebo. However, the pivotal 24-week Phase 2b OPTIONS study with over 300 patients did not meet commercial viability endpoints for obesity treatment, leading to discontinuation of development for this indication in 2007.
Yes, AOD-9604 demonstrated an excellent safety profile across 6 human clinical trials with over 600 subjects. It showed no serious adverse events, no effect on blood glucose or IGF-1 levels, and no development of anti-AOD9604 antibodies. Side effects were mild and comparable to placebo.
Beyond weight loss, AOD-9604 has shown promising results for cartilage regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment in preclinical studies. Intra-articular injections enhanced cartilage repair by 70% in rabbit models, with even better results when combined with hyaluronic acid.
AOD-9604 contains only the lipolytic (fat-burning) portion of hGH without the portions that affect blood sugar, muscle growth, or IGF-1 production. This selective action means it doesn't cause the side effects associated with full hGH treatment like insulin resistance, fluid retention, or carpal tunnel syndrome.
AOD-9604 is not approved for human use by the FDA or any other regulatory agency. It remains a research compound only. Additionally, it has been prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2013, making it banned for use in competitive sports.
Sources & References
Peer-reviewed research
Endocrinology
The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice
2001•DOI: 10.1210/endo.142.12.8522•PMID: 11713213
Heffernan M et al.
View Source
Annals of Clinical & Laboratory ScienceEffect of Intra-articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Osteoarthritis Model
2015•PMID: 26275694
Kwon DR et al.
View Source
⚠️Important Research Notice
Not for human consumption. This product is sold exclusively for research and educational purposes. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
All clinical trial data and research findings presented on this page are sourced from peer-reviewed journals and official publications. They are provided for educational reference only and should not be interpreted as medical advice or product claims.
By purchasing this product, you confirm that you are a qualified researcher and will use it in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
