The Sunlight Experiment

Supplement Monograph

AOD-9604

PeptideFat-Loss

AOD-9604 is a synthetic growth-hormone fragment analog developed as an anti-obesity drug; human trials showed only modest, ultimately negative results and it is not an approved drug or supplement.

Work in progress Updated July 2026

What Is AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 (“Advanced Obesity Drug 9604”) is a synthetic modified fragment of human growth hormone — the C-terminal lipolytic domain (residues 176-191) with an added N-terminal tyrosine — developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals as an anti-obesity drug candidate. Unlike the raw HGH Fragment 176-191, AOD-9604 actually reached human clinical trials for weight loss. It is taken (orally or by injection) in the hope of stimulating fat breakdown without growth hormone’s effects on growth or blood sugar. It is not an approved medicine or dietary supplement in any country.

Evidence

Preclinically, AOD-9604 reduced body-weight gain and stimulated lipolysis in adipose tissue of obese rats without impairing insulin sensitivity 1Reference 1Ng FM et al. · 2000AnimalMetabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone — rat (in vivo) studyView study →, and its effects on lipid metabolism were characterised further in obese and β3-adrenoceptor knockout mice 2Reference 2Heffernan MA et al. · 2001AnimalThe effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and β3-AR knock-out mice — mouse (in vivo) studyView study →. Unlike most peptides in this class, AOD-9604 did undergo human obesity trials (Phase II, oral, roughly 2001-2007). Early/mid-stage studies reported modest weight loss over placebo, but the clinical programme ultimately failed: the pivotal longer study incorporating diet and exercise did not show a significant weight-loss benefit, and development was discontinued. I did not find a verifiable PubMed identifier for the primary human trial publication in this quick pass, so the human data are described here in prose rather than cited; readers should treat the “clinically proven fat loss” marketing as unsupported by an approved indication. WADA notes AOD-9604 has “not been approved for therapeutic use by any government health authority in the world” 3Reference 3World Anti-Doping Agency · 2013WADA statement on substance AOD-9604 — regulatory/authority statement. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-statement-substance-aod-9604View study →.

Dosage & Safety

There is no approved or established therapeutic dose for AOD-9604; the drug failed to gain approval, and this page makes no dosing recommendation. It is not an approved drug or dietary supplement, is sold on the research/“black market”, and is prohibited in sport as a non-approved substance (WADA category S0) 3Reference 3World Anti-Doping Agency · 2013WADA statement on substance AOD-9604 — regulatory/authority statement. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-statement-substance-aod-9604View study →. In the US, regulators have flagged AOD-9604 among unapproved peptide substances. Human safety beyond the trial period, long-term effects, drug interactions, and pregnancy/lactation safety are not established. This entry is informational only and is not an endorsement of use.

References

  1. Ng FM, et al. (2000). Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone — rat (in vivo) study. Horm Res. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11146367/
  2. Heffernan MA, et al. (2001). The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and β3-AR knock-out mice — mouse (in vivo) study. Endocrinology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11713213/
  3. World Anti-Doping Agency (2013). WADA statement on substance AOD-9604 — regulatory/authority statement. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-statement-substance-aod-9604