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.
Summary Does AOD-9604 help people lose fat safely? Show / hide ↓
AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid fragment of human growth hormone, meaning it is a small chain of protein building blocks. It was designed to promote fat loss without the blood-sugar effects of full growth hormone. A 2025 review combining all published and unpublished human trials found no meaningful fat loss compared with a placebo, an inactive treatment used for comparison. Its phase 2b trial, a mid-stage human study, also failed to meet its main goal. The compound is not FDA-approved, and its Category 2 removal on April 23, 2026 happened because companies withdrew their nominations, not because it was proven safe or effective. Long-term safety has not been established.
What this means for you: AOD-9604 has not shown meaningful fat-loss benefits in human studies. Do not treat its regulatory removal as approval or proof that it works.
solid evidenceAOD-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 A 2025 meta-analysis of all published and unpublished human trials concluded that AOD-9604 does not produce clinically significant fat loss versus placebo.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.
Further reading
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