AOD-9604

The Growth Hormone Lipolytic Fragment

AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino acid peptide derived from the C-terminal region (amino acids 176-191) of human growth hormone, with a tyrosine residue added at the N-terminus for enhanced stability. Originally developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in Australia during the 1990s, this peptide was designed to isolate the fat-metabolizing properties of growth hormone while avoiding broader anabolic and metabolic effects.

AOD-9604 has undergone six human clinical trials involving over 900 participants, establishing a well-documented safety profile, though clinical development was discontinued in 2007 after failing to demonstrate significant efficacy in Phase IIb trials.

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Why Selective Lipolysis Matters

AOD-9604 targets adipose tissue through a distinct mechanism that separates it from full-length growth hormone:

Parameter	Full-Length GH	AOD-9604 Activity
IGF-1 Stimulation	Significant increase	No effect
Glucose Metabolism	May impair sensitivity	No significant effect
Lipolysis	Stimulates fat breakdown	Selective stimulation
Anabolic Effects	Promotes growth	Absent

This selectivity for adipose tissue metabolism without affecting IGF-1 pathways or glucose homeostasis makes AOD-9604 valuable for metabolic research applications.

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Research Focus Areas

AOD-9604 is being studied for its potential effects on:

• Adipose tissue metabolism — selective stimulation of lipolysis in fat cells
• Lipogenesis inhibition — prevention of new fat cell formation
• β3-adrenergic signaling — potential interaction with fat-burning receptor pathways
• Cartilage regeneration — emerging research in joint repair applications
• Metabolic homeostasis — effects independent of IGF-1 elevation
• Body composition — fat mass reduction without muscle tissue effects

Preclinical studies in obese rodent models showed reductions in body weight gain and increased fat oxidation, though these effects did not translate consistently to human clinical trials.

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Clinical Development Context

• Developer: Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Australia)
• Phase: Development discontinued (2007)
• Clinical trials: Six completed (2001-2007)
• Participants: Over 900 subjects
• Regulatory status: Not approved by FDA, EMA, or TGA; WADA prohibited substance

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Technical Specifications

• Synonyms: Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, Tyr-hGH Fragment 177-191
• Class: Growth hormone fragment / Lipolytic peptide
• Molecular Formula: C₇₈H₁₂₃N₂₃O₂₃S₂
• Molecular Weight: ~1,817 g/mol
• Form: Sterile lyophilized powder
• Structure: Linear peptide derived from hGH C-terminus

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Storage & Handling

• Lyophilized: Store at -20°C
• Reconstituted: Store at 2–8°C
• Protect from light and moisture
• Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles

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