AOD-9604 is a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone developed as a weight-loss candidate. Its Phase 2 obesity program did not meet the primary weight-loss endpoint, development was discontinued, and the compound is not FDA-approved or TGA-approved for any indication.
HGH fragment peptide (lipolytic)
AOD-9604
AOD-9604 is a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone developed as a weight-loss candidate. Its Phase 2 obesity program did not meet the primary weight-loss endpoint, development was discontinued, and the compound is not FDA-approved or TGA-approved for any indication.
Regulatory watch
Last reviewed Jul 1, 2026
Next review Jul 29, 2026
Evidence snapshot
AOD-9604 was developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (Australia) as a modified C-terminal fragment (residues 177-191) of human growth hormone, designed to retain lipolytic activity without growth-promoting effects.
Heffernan et al. (2001) published the foundational preclinical study in Endocrinology demonstrating that the hGH C-terminal fragment inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, establishing the mechanistic rationale for AOD-9604.
Phase 2 clinical trials for obesity were conducted but failed to meet primary weight loss endpoints; clinical development was subsequently discontinued by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals.
AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved or TGA-approved for any indication. ClinicalTrials.gov registry entries exist for the Phase 2 program.
Despite the failed clinical program, AOD-9604 is widely sold as a research chemical and discussed in biohacking communities as a fat-loss agent.
Research record
What the evidence record says
- Evidence grade
- Not Graded
- Regulatory status
- AOD-9604 regulatory status has not been fully reviewed by Peptide Report editorial team. See company profiles and regulatory watch for current status.
Evidence records
Studies, registries, reviews, and regulatory records
Evidence review pending
- Detailed evidence review for AOD-9604 is pending editorial assessment. Current summary reflects available public records.
Records: The C-terminal fragments of human growth hormone inhibit adipogenesis in mouse 3T3-L1 cells, AOD-9604 Clinical Trial Registry Entries: ClinicalTrials.gov, FDA BPC-157 compounding safety risk: immunogenicity
Evidence timeline
What changed, and when
Peptide Report last reviewed AOD-9604 on 2026-07-01.
Records: The C-terminal fragments of human growth hormone inhibit adipogenesis in mouse 3T3-L1 cells
Direct answers
Frequently asked questions
What is AOD-9604?
AOD-9604 is a hgh fragment peptide (lipolytic) tracked by Peptide Report. See the full profile for current editorial assessment.
Open research questions
What is still unknown
- What is the complete human evidence base for AOD-9604?
- What are the long-term safety considerations for AOD-9604?
Tracked claims
AOD-9604 Phase 2 clinical trials for obesity failed to meet primary weight loss endpoints.
Evidence level: Primary regulatory
Sources: AOD-9604 Clinical Trial Registry Entries: ClinicalTrials.gov
How to read this: This is the defining clinical outcome for AOD-9604. Verify against ClinicalTrials.gov results and any company press releases at each review cycle. Do not soften the negative trial outcome.
Preclinical studies showed that the hGH C-terminal fragment (177-191) has lipolytic activity without growth-promoting effects.
Evidence level: Peer reviewed
Sources: The C-terminal fragments of human growth hormone inhibit adipogenesis in mouse 3T3-L1 cells
How to read this: Preclinical lipolytic activity in cell culture does not translate to clinical efficacy, as demonstrated by the failed Phase 2 trials. Do not present preclinical data as evidence of human efficacy.
AOD-9604 is sold as a research chemical and discussed in biohacking communities for fat loss despite no clinical approval.
Evidence level: Community discussion
Sources: AOD-9604 Clinical Trial Registry Entries: ClinicalTrials.gov, FDA BPC-157 compounding safety risk: immunogenicity
How to read this: Track community interest as a public claim signal. The FDA has identified certain bulk peptide substances as potentially presenting significant safety risks in compounding contexts. Do not endorse or amplify research-chemical use.
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Sources on this page
Each source record is linked to the claim or evidence note it supports.
The C-terminal fragments of human growth hormone inhibit adipogenesis in mouse 3T3-L1 cells
Heffernan MA et al. (2001) preclinical study (PMID 11285201) demonstrating that the C-terminal fragment of hGH (residues 177-191, the basis of AOD-9604) inhibits fat cell formation in 3T3-L1 cells, establishing the rationale for AOD-9604 as a lipolytic agent.
3 linked pagesOpen original ·
pubmed-heffernan-aod9604-2001AOD-9604 Clinical Trial Registry Entries: ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov registry search for AOD-9604 clinical trials, including the Phase 2 obesity program by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals that failed to meet primary weight loss endpoints. AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved.
3 linked pagesOpen original ·
clinicaltrials-gov-aod-9604Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding may present significant safety risks
FDA risk page lists BPC-157: compounded BPC-157 may pose immunogenicity risk and peptide-related impurity concerns for certain routes of administration.
41 linked pagesOpen original ·
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