Peptide

AOD-9604 (hGH Fragment 176-191)

A synthetic fragment of human growth hormone marketed for fat loss. Phase 2b failed and the program was abandoned. Popularity surged after FDA Category 2 removal in April 2026.

Editor approved Evidence: Tier 5

Research snapshot Failed in phase 2b. Not approved. Program abandoned.

Updated 2026-08-11

Tier 5: negative phase 2 evidence, no approval, program abandoned. Consumer risk: regulatory reclassification misinterpreted as approval.

Evidence tierTier 5, Mechanistic hypothesis, minimal human data

Last verified2026-08-11

AOD-9604 is a 16-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the C-terminal fragment (residues 176-191) of human growth hormone. It was developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals as a lipolytic (fat-loss) agent that would avoid the blood-glucose-elevating effects of full hGH.

The compound failed in clinical development. A 2025 meta-analysis of all published and unpublished human trials concluded that AOD-9604 does not produce clinically significant fat loss versus placebo. The developer's Phase 2b trial failed to meet its primary endpoint, and the approximately $50 million development program was abandoned.

Despite this, AOD-9604 popularity surged after it was removed from FDA Category 2 effective April 23, 2026. This removal occurred because nominating companies withdrew their nominations, a procedural step, not a safety or efficacy endorsement. The peptide is widely sold by research chemical vendors and peptide clinics.

The compound is not FDA-approved for any indication. It is not WADA-prohibited specifically, but falls under WADA S0 (non-approved substances) for competitive athletes.

The consumer risk is that regulatory reclassification is being misinterpreted as approval. AOD-9604 has negative phase 2 evidence, no approved indication, and no established safety profile for long-term use. The 2025 meta-analysis is the definitive evidence summary.

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