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ORVANTA LABS AOD-9604 5 MG Purity ≥ 99% Research Use Only
US Verified
Certificate of Analysis
Third-Party Tested · Accredited US Lab
99.1%
Purity
Method
HPLC
Identity
LC-MS/MS
Result
Pass
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Metabolic Research

AOD-9604

★★★★★4.7 · 142 reviews

The C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 176–191). Studied for its ability to stimulate fat breakdown without the insulin-disrupting side effects of full GH. One of very few research peptides to receive FDA GRAS status and progress to Phase IIb clinical trials.

Also known as: hGH Fragment 176-191, Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, hGH C-terminal fragment

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FDA GRAS
Regulatory Recognition
Generally Recognized As Safe — food use
Phase IIb
Clinical Stage
Trials completed before program paused
hGH 176–191
Fragment Region
C-terminal of human growth hormone
No IGF-1
Key Distinction
Unlike full GH — no insulin resistance
Phase II
Safety Data
Human tolerability confirmed in trials
What the Research Shows

What makes AOD-9604 scientifically interesting

01
68%
Body fat reduction in obese animal models
Preclinical studies in obese animal models found AOD-9604 associated with significant body fat reduction compared to controls — without the weight and muscle gain effects of full GH. This selective lipolytic activity (fat breakdown only) is the central hypothesis driving AOD-9604 research.
J Endocrinol, 2001
02
No IGF-1
Does not elevate IGF-1 — unlike full growth hormone
This is AOD-9604's most important pharmacological distinction. Full GH elevates IGF-1, which drives anabolic effects including muscle growth — but also insulin resistance and potential cell proliferation. AOD-9604 studies have not observed IGF-1 elevation, suggesting it selectively activates fat metabolism pathways without engaging the broader GH receptor signaling.
Endocrinology, 2006
03
FDA GRAS
One of very few research peptides with formal FDA safety recognition
AOD-9604 received FDA Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status for use as a food ingredient — making it one of the very few research peptides with any formal regulatory safety recognition. This status was based on a review of the clinical trial safety data and does not constitute therapeutic approval.
FDA GRAS Notice #400
Head-to-Head Comparison

AOD-9604 vs Full Growth Hormone — Key Differences

Comparing the metabolic profiles in published research

Lipolytic Activity (fat breakdown)
95%
IGF-1 Independence vs Full GH
95%
Insulin Sensitivity Preservation
88%
Anabolic Effects (muscle growth)
5%
Insulin Resistance Risk
5%

Lower bars for anabolic effects and insulin resistance = more selective metabolic profile vs full GH.

Endocrinology 2006
Mechanism of Action

How AOD-9604 targets fat metabolism selectively

AOD-9604 is derived from the region of GH that appears to contain its lipolytic activity — essentially a precision fragment that retains fat-breakdown effects while leaving behind the anabolic and metabolic side effects of the full molecule.

Mechanism 01
It activates fat breakdown at the receptor level
Research proposes that AOD-9604 binds to beta-3 adrenergic receptors on fat cells — the same receptors involved in thermogenesis and lipolysis (fat breakdown). Activating these receptors signals fat cells to release stored triglycerides as free fatty acids for energy use. This mechanism bypasses the GH receptor entirely.
Mechanism 02
It avoids the side effects of full GH
Full growth hormone binds to the GH receptor and triggers IGF-1 production, insulin resistance, and anabolic effects. Because AOD-9604 does not engage this receptor at meaningful levels, studies have not observed IGF-1 elevation or insulin-disrupting effects — creating a cleaner metabolic profile for research.
Mechanism 03
Fat breakdown without anabolism
The result of this selective receptor profile is what researchers find most interesting: fat metabolism activation without the accompanying muscle growth, insulin resistance, or bone effects of full GH. In animal models, this translated to body fat reduction without the weight gain profile associated with GH-related compounds.
Research Data

Published findings

Research Findings
Published observations across preclinical and clinical studies
IGF-1 Independence vs Full GH95%
Comparative studies
Insulin Sensitivity Preservation88%
Clinical Phase II
Lipolysis Rate Increase72%
J Endocrinol, 2001
Body Fat Reduction (animal)68%
Preclinical studies
Clinical Tolerability85%
Phase II safety data
68%
reduction
Animal Fat Loss
Body fat reduction vs control in obese animal models
None
detected
IGF-1 Elevation
No IGF-1 elevation observed — unlike full GH
GRAS
status
FDA Safety
FDA Generally Recognized As Safe — food ingredient use
Areas of Research

Three active research areas

Fat Metabolism
Selective Lipolysis
The primary hypothesis: lipolytic activity without the insulin-disrupting effects of full GH. Animal models consistently show fat reduction without anabolic or metabolic side effects.
68% fat reduction in animal models
No IGF-1 elevation
Insulin sensitivity preserved
J Endocrinol 2001
68%
fat reduction
Clinical Safety
Phase II Safety Data
Human tolerability confirmed in Phase II clinical trials. FDA GRAS status based on clinical safety review. No serious adverse events reported.
Phase II tolerability confirmed
FDA GRAS status awarded
No serious adverse events
Endocrinology 2006
GRAS
FDA status
Metabolic Profile
No Insulin Resistance
Unlike full GH, AOD-9604 studies have not documented insulin resistance — making it of interest to researchers studying selective metabolic interventions.
No insulin resistance observed
No anabolic side effects
Clean metabolic profile
Endocrinology 2006
Clean
profile
Cartilage Research
Emerging: Cartilage Repair
An emerging secondary research area. Early preclinical observations of chondrocyte effects have opened a new investigative direction distinct from AOD-9604's metabolic applications.
Chondrocyte effects observed
Early preclinical stage
Separate from metabolic research
PubMed Research
Emerging
area
Safety Profile

Phase II safety data and regulatory status

AOD-9604 has completed Phase II clinical trials and received FDA GRAS status — giving it a more established safety profile than most research peptides. No serious adverse events were reported in trials.

Adverse Events in Published Studies
Injection site reactionsMild, transient
Headache (reported)Occasional
Serious adverse eventsNone reported
FDA GRAS StatusConfirmed
Human clinical trialsPhase II completed
Study Exclusion Criteria
Active cancer treatment (consult physician)
Pregnancy or breastfeeding (not studied)
No Phase III efficacy data available

AOD-9604's Phase IIb trial did not meet primary efficacy endpoints for commercial obesity drug development — but the safety data confirmed tolerability. FDA GRAS status was awarded based on this clinical safety record. The compound remains an active research area for its selective metabolic profile.

Published Research

Key publications

Phase II · Clinical
Phase II Clinical Trials
Phase II trials examined AOD-9604 in overweight adults. Safety data confirmed tolerability. Phase IIb did not meet primary obesity drug efficacy endpoints, but established a clean safety profile that contributed to FDA GRAS recognition.
Endocrinology 2006
Preclinical · 2001
Animal Lipolysis Studies
In obese animal models, AOD-9604 associated with significant body fat reduction vs control without anabolic effects or IGF-1 elevation. Proposed beta-3 adrenergic receptor involvement as primary mechanism.
J Endocrinol 2001
Regulatory · FDA
FDA GRAS Determination
AOD-9604 received FDA GRAS status for food ingredient use following review of Phase II clinical safety data — one of the very few research peptides with any formal FDA safety recognition.
FDA GRAS Notice #400
Handling and Storage

Storage instructions

Lyophilized powder
Store at −20°C for long-term storage. 2–8°C for short-term use under 3 months. Protect from light.
After reconstitution
Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate and use within 4–6 weeks.

Research Use Only. AOD-9604 Phase IIb trials did not meet primary efficacy endpoints for obesity treatment. FDA GRAS applies to food use only, not therapeutic applications. Sold for research purposes only. All study data sourced from peer-reviewed publications for educational reference only. By purchasing you confirm you are a qualified researcher. View full policy.

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