AOD-9604 — questions, answered plainly.

AOD-9604 is a modified 16-residue C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (residues 177–191) with an added N-terminal tyrosine. It was developed as a candidate anti-obesity compound in the late 1990s–early 2000s. It is not approved as a medicine.

Residues 177–191 of human growth hormone form a C-terminal fragment that has been studied for lipolytic activity separately from the parent molecule. AOD-9604 adds an N-terminal tyrosine modification to this fragment.

Industry sources noted Phase IIa clinical research in 2002–2004 (Wilding 2004 abstract). Full peer-reviewed clinical trial outcome papers in major databases are limited; the controlled-trial evidence base in humans is therefore not well-established in the published literature.

Heffernan et al. 2001 (Endocrinology, PMID 11713213) studied chronic AOD9604 administration in obese mice and beta-3 adrenergic receptor knockout mice, reporting reduced body weight and fat mass alongside altered β3-AR expression in the mouse models used.

Kwon 2015 (Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science, PMID 26275694; n=32 rabbits) examined intra-articular AOD9604 with or without hyaluronic acid in a rabbit collagenase-induced osteoarthritis model. Cox 2015 (Drug Test Anal, PMID 25208511) developed and validated an LC-MS detection method with a 50 pg/mL limit of detection.

No. AOD-9604 is not approved as a medicine by the FDA, MHRA, or EMA at the time of writing. The compound is referenced in research contexts only.

Most primary efficacy data come from rodent and rabbit models. Phase IIa human research was reported in 2002–2004 industry sources, but full peer-reviewed clinical trial outcome papers in major databases are limited. Extrapolation from animal models to clinical efficacy is not established.