# AOD-9604

> Evidence tier A — Controlled human trials · Metabolic · reviewed 2026-11-08
> Source page: https://peptidemeta.com/p/aod-9604/

Also known as: AOD9604, Tyr-hGH(177–191), hGH fragment 176–191 analogue

## Quick answers

**What is AOD-9604?**

A modified C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (Tyr-hGH 177-191) developed as an anti-obesity drug candidate; it was designed to keep GH's lipolytic activity without its growth-promoting or diabetogenic effects.

**How strong is the evidence for AOD-9604?**

Tier A (controlled human trials) on the peptidemeta evidence scale. Six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials for obesity were run in the 2000s (pooled safety report, Stier et al. 2013); the program did not lead to approval.

**Is AOD-9604 FDA-approved?**

No. AOD-9604 is not approved by the FDA for any use.

**Is AOD-9604 banned in sport?**

Yes. AOD-9604 is prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency under S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics).

**How does AOD-9604 work?**

AOD-9604 is human growth hormone residues 177-191 with an added N-terminal tyrosine. It was designed to mimic the lipolytic domain of GH; in obese mice it increased lipolysis and fat oxidation, effects linked to beta-3 adrenergic receptor expression and absent in beta-3 receptor knockout mice.

**What is known about the safety of AOD-9604?**

A pooled safety report of six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials found no effect on serum IGF-1 or glucose tolerance and a tolerability profile similar to placebo. "GRAS" claims refer to self-affirmed status for food use, not an FDA approval or FDA GRAS determination.

## Key facts

- **Evidence tier:** A (Controlled human trials)
- **FDA:** not approved
- **WADA:** prohibited (S2)
- **Peptide:** yes
- **Sequence:** YLRIVQCRSVEGSCGF (16 residues)
- **Formula:** C78H123N23O23S2
- **Molecular weight:** 1815.1 g/mol
- **Discovered:** 2000 — Developed from the lipolytic C-terminal domain of hGH at Monash University; first metabolic studies published 2000 (Ng et al.).
- **Routes studied:** Subcutaneous, Intramuscular

## Overview

A modified C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (Tyr-hGH 177-191) developed as an anti-obesity drug candidate; it was designed to keep GH's lipolytic activity without its growth-promoting or diabetogenic effects.

## Mechanism

AOD-9604 is human growth hormone residues 177-191 with an added N-terminal tyrosine. It was designed to mimic the lipolytic domain of GH; in obese mice it increased lipolysis and fat oxidation, effects linked to beta-3 adrenergic receptor expression and absent in beta-3 receptor knockout mice. It does not bind the GH receptor.

## Effects reported in research

_Reported outcomes, not promises; see the evidence tier._

- Stimulated lipolysis in adipose tissue
- Inhibited lipogenesis
- No impact on blood glucose or IGF-1
- Investigated for cartilage repair in an animal model

## Safety & unknowns

A pooled safety report of six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials found no effect on serum IGF-1 or glucose tolerance and a tolerability profile similar to placebo. "GRAS" claims refer to self-affirmed status for food use, not an FDA approval or FDA GRAS determination. Not FDA-approved as a drug. Prohibited in sport (WADA S2).

## Studies

- Heffernan MA, Thorburn AW, Fam B, et al. (2001). *Increase of fat oxidation and weight loss in obese mice caused by chronic treatment with human growth hormone or a modified C-terminal fragment*. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders. Preclinical. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11673763/
  In obese mice, both hGH and AOD9604 reduced body weight gain and increased fat oxidation and lipolysis, but unlike hGH, AOD9604 did not cause hyperglycaemia or bind the hGH receptor.
- Stier H, Vos E, Kenley D. (2013). *Safety and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans*. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Clinical trial.
  Summary of safety data from six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, reporting no effect on IGF-1 or glucose tolerance, no anti-drug antibodies, and tolerability indistinguishable from placebo.

## Status sources

- [PubChem CID 71300630 — AOD-9604](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/71300630)
- [Stier et al., J Endocrinol Metab 2013 — safety of AOD9604 in six RCTs](https://www.jofem.org/index.php/jofem/article/view/157)
- [Ng et al., Horm Res 2000 (early metabolic studies)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11146367/)
- [WADA Prohibited List 2026 (S2.2.3, named)](https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/world-anti-doping-code-and-international-standards/prohibited-list)

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Educational reference only — not medical advice. No dosing information is published. Tiers rate the strength of published evidence, not effectiveness or safety.