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16-amino-acid hGH fragment 177-191 with disulfide bond
Metabolic / Weight Management

AOD-9604

Modified C-terminal GH fragment studied for selective fat metabolism activity.

Mechanism of Action

Compound targeting metabolic efficiency and cellular energy production.

Evidence Chain

AOD-9604

COMPOUND

1 Research Goal

• Weight Management

Evidence Strength

Clinical Trial

24 articles sourced

Knowledge Graph

(25 connections)
CompoundGoalArticleArticleArticle
Compound (Center)
Research Goal
Linked Article

Research Evidence

(24)

Ligandrol (LGD-4033): Evidence-Based Research Review

5 min

Ligandrol (LGD-4033), also known as VK5211, is a potent, non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) developed for the treatment of conditions characterized by muscle wasting and osteoporosis. As a SARM, it is designed to exert anabolic effects on skeletal muscle and bone while minimi

Clinical Trial

Enobosarm (Ostarine / MK-2866): Evidence-Based Research Review

5 min

**Class:** SARM (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator)

Clinical Trial

Clomiphene Citrate: Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Clomiphene citrate (CC) is a non-steroidal triphenylethylene derivative classified as a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). Originally developed for the induction of ovulation in women with anovulatory infertility, it has become a cornerstone of reproductive medicine. CC operates as a race

Clinical Trial

Tamoxifen Citrate: Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Tamoxifen citrate is a non-steroidal triphenylethylene derivative and the prototypic Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). Originally developed as a contraceptive, it has become a cornerstone in the treatment and prophylaxis of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Tamoxifen exhibi

Clinical Trial

Oxandrolone: Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Oxandrolone (17β-hydroxy-17α-methyl-2-oxa-5α-androstan-3-one) is a synthetic oral anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Characterized by a unique substitution of an oxygen atom for the carbon at the C-2 position in the A-ring, oxandrolone exhibits a high anabolic-

Clinical Trial

Nandrolone Decanoate: Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is a long-acting injectable ester of the anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) nandrolone (19-nortestosterone). Characterized by a high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio, ND has been utilized clinically for decades to treat conditions involving protein catabolism, bone density loss,

Clinical Trial

Testosterone Enanthate: Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Testosterone enanthate (TE) is a long-acting esterified formulation of the primary endogenous androgen, testosterone. Since its clinical introduction in the 1950s, it has served as a cornerstone for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in male hypogonadism and a reference compound in clinical rese

Clinical Trial

Toremifene Citrate: Evidence-Based Research Review

5 min

Toremifene citrate is a chlorinated triphenylethylene derivative and a second-generation selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Structurally analogous to tamoxifen, toremifene was developed to maintain the therapeutic efficacy of ER-antagonism in breast tissue while potentially improving the

Clinical Trial

Raloxifene: Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Raloxifene is a second-generation selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) of the benzothiophene class. Developed to address the limitations of first-generation SERMs like tamoxifen, raloxifene exhibits distinct tissue-specific effects: it acts as an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist in bone and li

Clinical Trial

Methenolone Enanthate: Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Methenolone enanthate is a long-acting injectable anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Characterized by a 1-methyl modification and a 2-oxo group, it exhibits a high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio and is notable for its inability to aromatize into estrogen. Origina

Clinical Trial

Stanozolol: Evidence-Based Research Review

5 min

Stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Characterized by a high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio, it is clinically distinguished by its pyrazole ring modification and 17α-alkylation. Originally developed for the treatment of hereditary angioede

Clinical Trial

Survodutide (BI 456906): Dual GLP-1/Glucagon Receptor Agonist — Clinical Evidence in Obesity and MASH

6 min

Survodutide is a dual GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist in clinical development by Boehringer Ingelheim for obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This review summarizes the clinical evidence.

Clinical Trial

CagriSema (Cagrilintide + Semaglutide) Combination Therapy: Clinical Evidence from the REDEFINE Trial Program

6 min

CagriSema combines cagrilintide (a long-acting amylin analogue) with semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) for the treatment of obesity. The REDEFINE clinical development program evaluates the additive weight-loss effects of co-administering amylin and incretin pathway agonism.

Clinical Trial

GLP-1 Receptor Agonism in Metabolic Signaling

8 min

Survey of GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptor research for metabolic signaling and incretin physiology.

Clinical Trial

Telomerase Activation and Cellular Senescence Pathways

9 min

Survey of telomerase and mitochondrial peptide research in aging and senescence pathways.

Clinical Trial

YK-11: Evidence-Based Research Review

5 min

YK-11 (17α,20E)-17,20-[(1-methoxyethylidene)bis(oxy)]-3-oxo-19-norpregna-4,20-diene-21-carboxylic acid methyl ester is a synthetic compound classified as a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM). Unlike traditional non-steroidal SARMs such as Ostarine or Ligandrol, YK-11 possesses a steroidal

Peer-Reviewed

Testolone (RAD-140): Evidence-Based Research Review

5 min

Testolone (RAD-140) is a potent, non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) originally developed by Radius Health, Inc. It was designed to overcome the limitations of conventional androgen therapy, such as prostate enlargement and virilization, by exhibiting high tissue selectivity.

Preclinical

Cardarine (GW-501516): Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Cardarine (GW-501516) is a synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) agonist originally developed through a collaboration between Ligand Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for the treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Although frequently categorized as a

Preclinical

Andarine (S-4): Evidence-Based Research Review

5 min

Andarine (also known as S-4 or GTx-007) is an early-generation, nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) belonging to the aryl propionamide class. Developed initially for the treatment of conditions such as muscle wasting and osteoporosis, Andarine demonstrates high affinity for the

Preclinical

Drostanolone Propionate: Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Drostanolone propionate (2α-methyl-5α-androstan-17β-ol-3-one propionate) is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Originally developed for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women, it is characterized by its inability to aromatiz

Preclinical

Boldenone Undecylenate: Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Boldenone undecylenate, a synthetic derivative of testosterone originally developed for veterinary use, is a long-acting injectable anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS). Characterized by a double bond between the C1 and C2 positions, the compound exhibits a favorable ratio of anabolic to androgenic act

Preclinical

Trenbolone Acetate: Evidence-Based Research Review

6 min

Trenbolone acetate (TBA) is a potent synthetic 19-nortestosterone derivative classified as an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS). Originally developed for veterinary applications—specifically to increase muscle mass and feed efficiency in beef cattle—TBA has become a focal point of pharmacological in

Preclinical

Adalank and the Selank Peptide Class: Anxiolytic Peptide Pharmacology and Translational Rationale

6 min

Adalank is a synthetic analog of the anxiolytic peptide Selank incorporating an adamantane moiety. This review outlines the pharmacological rationale and preclinical evidence from the Selank peptide class that informs its development.

Preclinical

Peptide Synergy: Metabolic System Stacking

7 min

A systematic review of metabolic peptide synergy, examining how dual and triple receptor agonists interact within the incretin pathway.

Review

Overview

AOD-9604 (Advanced Obesity Drug-9604) is a modified synthetic peptide representing the C-terminal fragment (amino acids 177-191) of human growth hormone. Developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, AOD-9604 was specifically designed to capture the lipolytic (fat-metabolizing) effects of growth hormone without the associated effects on growth, insulin sensitivity, or other GH-mediated activities. It represents a targeted approach to metabolic therapy through peptide fragment engineering.

Mechanism of Action

AOD-9604 mimics the lipolytic activity of the C-terminal fragment of growth hormone, stimulating the breakdown of fat (lipolysis) and inhibiting the transformation of fatty acids into adipose tissue (lipogenesis). Unlike full-length growth hormone, AOD-9604 does not bind to growth hormone receptors and does not produce the broad metabolic and growth-promoting effects of GH. The selective lipolytic activity is mediated through pathways involving beta-adrenergic signaling and hormone-sensitive lipase activation in adipose tissue.

Research Highlights

Clinical trials demonstrated AOD-9604's efficacy in promoting fat loss, with Phase II trials showing significant reductions in body weight and fat mass over 12 weeks. Research showed that AOD-9604 produced fat loss without affecting glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, or IGF-1 levels — distinguishing it from full-length GH. Studies explored its potential in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cartilage repair. Despite promising Phase II results, development was discontinued, reportedly due to the competitive landscape and regulatory considerations rather than safety concerns.

Dosage & Administration

In clinical trials, AOD-9604 was administered orally and via subcutaneous injection at doses of 1-10 mg daily. The oral bioavailability was a notable feature. For research use only (RUO).

Safety Profile

Clinical trials reported favorable safety profiles, with no significant adverse effects at therapeutic doses. AOD-9604 did not affect glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, or IGF-1 levels, distinguishing it from full-length GH. Long-term safety data is limited. Not approved by the FDA for any indication.

References

Heffernan M, et al. AOD-9604 and lipolysis. Endocrinology. 2001. Heffernan M, et al. AOD-9604 clinical trials. Curr Drug Targets. 2004. Stier H, et al. AOD-9604 safety. J Endocrinol. 2005. All content is for educational and research purposes only.

FDA 2026 Regulatory Update

As of April–June 2026, this compound was among the 14 peptides formally removed from the FDA's Category 2 restricted compounding list following review by the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC). This regulatory shift permits licensed compounding pharmacies to produce and dispense this compound under appropriate oversight, subject to final 503A Bulks List adjudication expected following the July 23–24, 2026 PCAC meeting. This does not constitute FDA approval for therapeutic use. All information on this page is for research purposes only.

Synergy & Compatibility

(5)

Computational assessment of bio-regulatory compatibility with compounds sharing research goals. Scores reflect half-life alignment, receptor target overlap, and bioavailability data.

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Computational assessment based on available pharmacology data. Does not account for individual variability, dose-dependent effects, or unstudied interactions. For research use only.

Community Observations

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For research use only. Not medical advice.

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