AOD-9604

HGH (176-191) lipolytic fragment · 16-residue peptide

Identifier graph

Cross-references to canonical chemistry knowledge graphs. Each binding is the same identity used in PubMed-indexed literature.

CAS Registry Number
221231-10-3 · CAS Common Chemistry
InChIKey
GVIYUKXRXPXMQM-BPXGDYAESA-N
PubChem CID
CID 71300630
Wikidata
Q72443552
ChEMBL
CHEMBL6068615
Molecular formula
C78H123N23O23S2
Molecular weight
1815.12 g/mol
IUPAC name
(2S)-2-[[2-[[(4R,7S,13S,16S,19S,22S,25R)-25-[[(2S)-5-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-3-methylpentanoyl]amino]-3-methylbutanoyl]amino]-5-oxopentanoyl]amino]-22-(3-carbamimidamidopropyl)-13-(2-carboxyethyl)-7,19-bis(hydroxymethyl)-6,9,12,15,18,21,24-heptaoxo-16-propan-2-yl-1,2-dithia-5,8,11,14,17,20,23-heptazacyclohexacosane-4-carbonyl]amino]acetyl]amino]-3-phenylpropanoic acid

What is AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 ("Anti-Obesity Drug 9604") is a synthetic 16-residue fragment corresponding to the C-terminal 176-191 region of human growth hormone, with an additional N-terminal tyrosine residue added to facilitate radioiodination for receptor-binding studies. The native 176-191 fragment was identified by Ng and colleagues in the 1990s as the smallest GH sequence retaining lipolytic activity without the somatotropic (growth-promoting) activity of the full hormone.

CAS 221231-10-3, molecular formula C₇₈H₁₂₃N₂₃O₂₃S₂, molecular weight 1815.12 g/mol. Wikidata QID Q72443552, PubChem CID 71300630, ChEMBL ID CHEMBL6068615.

Mechanism of action

AOD-9604 retains the lipolytic (fat-mobilising) activity of the full growth hormone molecule but lacks the somatotropic (cell-proliferation, insulin-antagonistic) effects associated with HGH. Mechanistically, it appears to stimulate β3- adrenergic receptors on adipocytes, increasing hormone- sensitive lipase activity and free-fatty-acid release while inhibiting lipogenesis.

Critically, AOD-9604 does not activate the growth-hormone receptor in the manner of full HGH — the fragment lacks the N-terminal residues responsible for somatotropic receptor engagement.

Research context

AOD-9604 has been investigated in clinical and preclinical weight-management studies and reached phase II clinical development before stalling without progressing to approval. It is generally regarded as "GRAS" (Generally Recognised As Safe) in the United States for limited nutraceutical applications, though it has no MHRA-licensed indication in the UK.

Analytical specifications

Every batch of AOD-9604 supplied by NMChem is characterised by reversed-phase HPLC for purity determination and by mass spectrometry for identity confirmation. Certificate of Analysis (COA) documents are issued per batch and made available on request.

Identity is confirmed by electrospray-ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS); the observed mass falls within ±2 Da of the theoretical monoisotopic mass calculated from the residue sequence. Purity is determined by reversed-phase HPLC on a C18 column with a trifluoroacetic-acid-modified water/acetonitrile gradient and reported as the area-under-curve percentage of the main peak at 214 nm. NMChem specification is ≥99% main peak. Material ships as lyophilised powder and must be reconstituted in sterile water or bacteriostatic water immediately before use.

Browse the COA database

UK regulatory status

Supplied as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory use only. Not a licensed medicinal product in the United Kingdom and not approved by the MHRA for human or veterinary administration. Sale is restricted to researchers, institutions and laboratory professionals; the compound must be retained within research premises. End-user compliance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (where applicable) and local institutional biosafety policy is the responsibility of the buyer.

Research literature

Selected peer-reviewed publications from PubMed referencing this compound.

  1. AOD-9604 Metabolic. Wilding J et al. · Current opinion in investigational drugs (London, England : 2000) · 2004
    PubMed PMID 15134286
  2. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. Rahman OF et al. · Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2026
    PubMed PMID 41490200
  3. AOD-9604 does not influence the WADA hGH isoform immunoassay. Orlovius AK et al. · Drug testing and analysis · 2013
    PubMed PMID 24124033

Related compounds

Other research compounds in adjacent mechanism classes or commonly used alongside AOD-9604.

  • HGH
    Human Growth Hormone · 191-residue protein
  • Tesamorelin
    GHRH(1-44) analogue with N-terminal fatty acid · 44-residue peptide
  • CJC-1295 (No DAC)
    GHRH (1-29) analogue · 29-residue peptide

Frequently asked questions about AOD-9604

How is AOD-9604 different from HGH?
AOD-9604 corresponds only to the C-terminal 176-191 fragment of HGH plus a synthetic N-terminal tyrosine. It retains the lipolytic (fat-mobilising) activity of the full hormone but lacks the somatotropic (growth-promoting) activity, because it doesn't contain the N-terminal residues that engage the growth-hormone receptor in the somatotropic mode.
Is AOD-9604 the same as 'HGH Fragment 176-191'?
Functionally yes — AOD-9604 is the research code for the molecule commonly called HGH Fragment 176-191, with the minor addition of an N-terminal tyrosine residue for experimental radioiodination compatibility.

Get research-grade AOD-9604 from NMChem

UK supplier · HPLC and MS verified · Per-batch Certificate of Analysis · Tracked Royal Mail dispatch.

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