AOD-9604

Anti-Obesity Drug 9604

Evidence & Status

  • Preliminary / Experimental
  • Preliminary

At a Glance

A modified fragment of human growth hormone studied for its potential role in fat metabolism, designed to explore the lipolytic properties of growth hormone without influencing blood sugar or growth-promoting pathways. Also explored in cartilage and joint tissue research.

Plain English

Researchers study AOD-9604 because it was developed to isolate and study a specific portion of the human growth hormone molecule that appears to be involved in fat breakdown. Scientists wanted to understand whether this fragment could stimulate the breakdown of fat independently from the other effects of full growth hormone — such as effects on blood sugar or muscle growth. More recently, researchers have also explored whether AOD-9604 may have a role in supporting cartilage health and joint tissue repair, adding a second active area of scientific interest.

Overview

A modified C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (hGH 177-191). Designed to mimic the fat-burning properties of hGH without stimulating IGF-1 or affecting blood glucose. Activates beta-3 adrenergic receptors and stimulates lipolysis. Has also shown potential in cartilage repair and osteoarthritis research.

Research Summary

AOD-9604 is a modified C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (hGH 177-191) studied for obesity treatment and, subsequently, cartilage repair. Animal studies established lipolytic activity through antilipogenic and metabolic mechanisms of the hGH 177-191 sequence, including reduction of adipose tissue in obese rodent models. A randomized, placebo-controlled Phase IIb clinical program involving 536 participants failed to demonstrate sufficient weight-loss efficacy to support Phase III advancement for obesity, as documented in FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee briefing materials. AOD-9604 achieved GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) food additive status in Australia before that classification was withdrawn. Subsequent research has examined osteoarthritis cartilage regeneration with exploratory signals. No successful human efficacy program has been completed. The two previously stored PubMed identifiers (PMID 11238494 and PMID 10997923) were confirmed as entity mismatches and have been removed. Evidence for obesity treatment is insufficient; evidence for other applications remains preclinical or early-phase only. Evidence is reclassified as preliminary.

Research Areas

  • Fat metabolism & lipolysis
  • Obesity
  • Articular cartilage repair
  • Osteoarthritis

Safety & Risks

Serious Risks

  • Limited long-term human data; does not share risks of full HGH (no IGF-1 elevation, no glucose dysregulation)

Reported Side Effects

  • Generally well-tolerated
  • Mild injection site redness
  • Occasional headache
United States
Research only
United Kingdom
Research only
Australia
Previously TGA-approved as food ingredient GRAS (withdrawn); now research only
Canada
Research only

Citations & Sources