RESEARCH MONOGRAPH · KDC-MN-085

AOD-9604

May 9, 2026 Kodiac biolabs Research Revised May 30, 2026 2 min read

Our opinion on this compound

49/100

hGH 176-191 fragment with modified N-terminus, marketed for fat loss with thinner evidence than the original Monash story implied

AOD-9604 is the modified hGH 176-191 fragment with a tyrosine added to the N-terminus, developed at Monash by the Frank Ng and Heffernan group in the 90s as a putative lipolytic peptide that retained the fat-mobilizing activity of growth hormone without the diabetogenic IGF-1 effects. Metabolic Pharmaceuticals took it into clinical development for obesity in the 2000s.

What we like, in fairness: the original Monash preclinical work in ob/ob mice and the early lipolysis studies in adipocyte culture were genuinely interesting. The mechanism story (selective activation of hormone-sensitive lipase and uncoupling of GH lipolytic effects from glucose dysregulation) was a credible hypothesis at the time and produced reproducible effects in animal models.

What we dont like is what happened next. The phase 2 human trials for obesity (the Australian and US trials around 2004-2007) failed to show clinically meaningful weight loss versus placebo. Metabolic Pharmaceuticals pivoted to osteoarthritis with another set of trials that also didn't pan out. The compound has been in commercial limbo since, surviving mostly in the research-use peptide market and as a TGA-listed listed compound in Australia.

The fundamental issue is that the lipolytic effects observed in vitro and in rodents didnt translate to meaningful human fat reduction at any dose tested. Whether thats a delivery problem, a species difference in hGH fragment processing, or just that the mechanism is weaker than the original story suggested isnt fully resolved.

Sourcing of the 16-amino-acid modified peptide is mature and HPLC pure material is straightforward at gram scale. Reputable peptide vendors handle it well, and the synthesis is forgiving enough that even cheaper suppliers usually get the basic peptide right.

For studying hGH C-terminal fragment biology and as a research tool for the historical lipolysis hypothesis, AOD-9604 has narrow utility. As a generic fat-loss compound, the human clinical evidence just doesn't support the marketing. Treat it as a research curiosity from a specific moment in obesity pharmacology rather than a working tool.

Evidence: 30
Mechanism: 50
Reliability: 35
Safety: 78
Sourcing: 78
Value: 45
Signal: 38
Staying power: 35

Plain-language summary Intrigue 55 / 100

AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of the C-terminal portion of human growth hormone (residues 176-191). It was developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals as a fat-loss agent that retains the lipolytic effects of GH without the muscle-building effects. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

Modified hGH 176-191 fragment

A modified C-terminal fragment of hGH (residues 176-191) developed for fat loss without GH metabolic effects.

Abstract

AOD-9604 (modified hGH 177-191; molecular formula C78H125N23O23S2) is a modified analog of the C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176-191) developed by Monash University and Metabolic Pharmaceuticals. The structural modification is the addition of a tyrosine at the N-terminus relative to the unmodified 176-191 sequence. The compound was developed on the rationale that the lipolytic activity of human growth hormone resides in the C-terminal fragment, separable from the IGF-1-mediated growth-promoting and pro-diabetogenic activities. Phase 2 trials in obesity showed modest weight loss and fat mass reduction without effect on lean mass or insulin sensitivity. The compound did not advance to FDA approval; clinical efficacy was not strong enough to support marketing. The compound is sold as a research chemical/peptide. Pharmacokinetics: plasma half-life of subcutaneous AOD-9604 is short (less than 1 hour); reported research dose ranges in the literature for lipolysis applications are 250 to 500 micrograms subcutaneously.

Mechanism of action

Modified hGH 176-191 fragment with lipolytic effects without IGF-1 elevation. Mechanism incompletely characterized.

Reported research dose ranges

250 to 500 micrograms SC (reported research dose ranges in the literature).

References

Heffernan M, et al. The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism. J Endocrinol 2001.

Read the full monograph

The full reference document covers compound identification, discovery and developmental history, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, reported research dose ranges, sourcing and quality verification, reconstitution and handling, stack interaction considerations, and a curated reference list. Available as a research-use-only PDF download.

KDC-MN-085

The full reference document is provided strictly for research use only. It reports research dose ranges from the published literature, not instructions for use in humans or animals.

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FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

Kodiac sells research compounds for investigative use only.

AOD-9604

Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

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Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

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