Primary entity: AOD-9604Also known as: hGH 177–191 fragmentClass: GH fragment research peptide (not FDA-approved)Cluster: Specialty
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide based on the C-terminal region of human growth hormone (often described around residues 177–191 / hGH 176-191). It was studied as a potential obesity therapy and is not FDA-approved. Marketing often presents it as a proven “fat-burning fragment.” Published human outcome evidence is limited, and we have not identified a successful, approved development program.
AOD-9604 reached human obesity trials; the pivotal Phase IIb did not succeed on its weight-loss endpoint and development for that indication stopped. Human history exists — successful approval does not.
Not FDA-approved for weight loss or any other U.S. indication we identified. The 2026 WADA Prohibited List names AOD-9604 as a growth hormone fragment under S2. RUO vials are not an approved drug product.
Not covered by HHS's Oct 28, 2026 policy, which names six other peptides. AOD-9604 left FDA's Category 2 list in Sept 2024 after a withdrawn nomination; FDA's page notes serious adverse events, though causality is not clear. Not on the final bulks list. See the compounding status guide.
Key takeaways
- AOD-9604 = GH C-terminal fragment peptide (177–191 literacy).
- Human obesity program failed Phase IIb weight-loss endpoint — central fact.
- Not FDA-approved; forum revival ≠ resurrection of efficacy.
- Not the same as intact GH or CJC/Ipamorelin secretagogues.
- No dosage chart.
Questions this page answers
Next questions we answer on this page (curiosity / AI-gap map):
- What is AOD-9604?
- Also known as
- Classification
- What it is NOT
- Mechanism literacy
- Evidence ladder
- What’s been studied
- Safety literacy
- Regulatory status
- Why no dosages
- Related compounds
- Who for / not for
Who is this profile for — and who is it not for?
For: readers who hear “AOD melts fat” claims and need the Phase IIb failure literacy.
Not for: anyone seeking buy links or fat-loss peptide protocols.
What is AOD-9604?
AOD-9604 is a modified fragment derived from the lipolytic region of human growth hormone. Developers hoped fragment pharmacology could separate metabolic effects from full GH liabilities. Clinical obesity development did not deliver an approved product after Phase IIb failure.
See also CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin for GH-axis secretagogue literacy (different agents).
| Chemistry | Synthetic hGH C-terminal fragment peptide |
|---|---|
| Obesity Phase IIb | Failed primary weight-loss endpoint (historical) |
| U.S. approval | Not approved |
| Folk claim | “Fat-burning fragment” — overselling |
Also known as
- AOD-9604 / AOD9604
- hGH 177–191 / Tyr-hGH (177–191) — fragment framing
- Mis-tags: “AOD GH,” equating to pharmaceutical somatropin
Fragment intent ≠ proven clinical weight loss. Phase IIb failure is the corrective fact.
How is AOD-9604 classified?
Failed-development research peptide in the specialty/metabolic folklore cluster — unapproved. Distinct from intact recombinant GH medicines.
What is AOD-9604 not?
| AOD-9604 is not… | Why that matters |
|---|---|
| FDA-approved fat-loss drug | Obesity program failed |
| Intact human growth hormone | Fragment vs full hormone |
| Proven superior “safe GH” | Unsupported marketing |
| Something we dose or source | Refusal |
How is AOD-9604 thought to work?
Research narratives focus on lipolytic / metabolic pathways associated with the GH C-terminus without full GH receptor activation profiles of intact hormone — a hypothesis that clinical obesity development did not convert into an approved success.
What human vs animal vs label evidence exists?
| Evidence type | What exists (summary) | Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Human — obesity program | Phase IIb failed weight-loss endpoint; program terminated (historical) | Human Negative pivotal outcome |
| Earlier human / PK | Earlier-phase work existed in development history | Human Historical |
| Animal | Lipolytic / metabolic models | Animal |
| Approved label | None | None |
What has AOD-9604 been studied for?
Primary development thrust: obesity / fat mass. Secondary folklore claims (cartilage, etc.) in forums are not established approvals. Studied ≠ succeeded.
What safety topics come up?
Development-era safety findings belong in primary sources — not forum stacks. Unregulated modern RUO products add quality risk on top of failed efficacy for obesity. Not medical advice.
What is AOD-9604's regulatory status?
- U.S.: Not FDA-approved for weight loss.
- Regional oddities / supplement-adjacent claims: Some jurisdictions have seen controversial AOD marketing historically —
- Sport: Check WADA for GH fragments / related as applicable.
Why doesn't this page include a dosage chart?
Failed obesity program + unapproved status + protocol demand. Literacy refusal.
Related lab literacy
How-to pages ≠ AOD protocol.
Related compounds and comparisons
- 5-Amino-1MQ — non-peptide NNMT folklore neighbor.
- CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin — GH secretagogues (different).
- Semaglutide / Tirzepatide — approved metabolic peptide drugs (do not equate).
Frequently asked questions
Did AOD-9604 work for weight loss in Phase IIb?
The obesity Phase IIb program failed its primary weight-loss endpoint and development for that indication stopped — that is the key literacy point.
Is AOD-9604 FDA approved?
No.
Is AOD-9604 the same as HGH?
No. It is a fragment-based peptide, not intact somatropin.
Why do people still sell it?
Forum revival and metabolic marketing — not proof of approval or Phase IIb success.
Why no dosage chart?
YMYL + failed development story.
Phase IIb obesity failure is material. Not FDA-approved. Disclaimer.
Sources
- Primary — preclinical Ng FM, Sun J, Sharma L, et al. Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone. Horm Res. 2000;53(6):274-278. PMID: 11146367.
- Pipeline note Wilding J. AOD-9604 Metabolic. Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2004;5(4):436-440. PMID: 15134286. Contemporary development-status note, not a Phase IIb outcome paper.
- Anti-doping / analytical Cox HD, Smeal SJ, Hughes CM, et al. Detection and in vitro metabolism of AOD9604. Drug Test Anal. 2015;7(1):31-38. doi:10.1002/dta.1715. PMID: 25208511.
- Anti-doping World Anti-Doping Agency. The 2026 Prohibited List. S2 includes growth hormone fragments, e.g. AOD-9604 and hGH 176-191. Accessed November 10, 2026.
- Written by
- Peptide Tutorials Staff — a group of independent researchers & writers (not clinicians)
- Published · Updated
- Oct 6, 2026 · Nov 10, 2026 · Labels, trial citations, and WADA list wording checked Nov 10, 2026 · How we source & update
Educational disclaimer: Educational only. No dosing or buy links. We don’t sell peptides. Read our full disclaimers.