AOD9604

AOD9604 is a synthetic peptide fragment corresponding to amino acids 177–191 of human growth hormone, modified with a tyrosine residue at the N-terminus to improve stability. This C-terminal fragment was developed following the observation that the lipolytic activity of growth hormone could be separated from its growth-promoting effects. AOD9604 is believed to stimulate lipolysis (fat breakdown) and inhibit lipogenesis (fat storage) through mechanisms that do not involve the IGF-1 pathway, making it potentially specific to adipose tissue metabolism. Research in animal models has demonstrated AOD9604's ability to reduce body fat — particularly visceral adiposity — in diet-induced obese mice and rats without producing the growth-promoting or glucose-elevating effects associated with full-length GH. Human Phase II clinical trials reported modest reductions in body weight and were used to inform its safety profile. More recent research has explored potential applications in cartilage repair and osteoarthritis, where in vitro data suggest proteoglycan synthesis activity.