In short
A fragment of human growth hormone developed as an anti-obesity pill. Its larger Phase 2b trial failed and obesity development was stopped in 2007.
Also known asAnti-Obesity Drug 9604; growth hormone fragment
CategoryWeight loss & GLP-1
Canada statusNot authorized in Canada
Human evidence Failed: the larger Phase 2b trial did not show weight loss
Last reviewedNovember 10, 2026
How strong is the human evidence?
- Cell & animal
- Small human studies
- Some randomized trials
- Large randomized trials
Trials did not show a benefit for the main claimed use.
What is AOD-9604?
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide based on the end of the growth hormone molecule.
Its developer, Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (Australia), tested it in obesity trials in the 2000s.
Is AOD-9604 legal in Canada?
Not authorized: no product found in Health Canada's Drug Product Database. Unauthorized health products are illegal to sell or promote in Canada.
What the research shows
- In the 536-person Phase 2b OPTIONS trial (oral tablets plus diet and exercise), weight loss vs placebo at 12 and 24 weeks was too small to reach statistical significance; the company said it was under 1 kg in all dose groups and ended obesity development (Feb 21, 2007). It reported safety and tolerability no different from placebo.
What it doesn't show
- There is no successful trial showing weight loss. Results from oral tablets also say nothing about injections sold online.
Common questions
Does AOD-9604 work for weight loss?
Its larger Phase 2b trial did not show meaningful weight loss versus placebo, and development for obesity was terminated in 2007.
Is AOD-9604 legal in Canada?
It is not authorized by Health Canada, so selling or advertising it is illegal.
Sources
- Metabolic Pharmaceuticals ASX announcement (Feb 21, 2007): AOD9604 Phase 2B results
- Wilding J. AOD-9604 Metabolic. Curr Opin Investig Drugs 2004
- Health Canada Drug Product Database (searched Nov 10, 2026)
- Health Canada — Peptides: Regulations and enforcement
Related
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MK-677 (Ibutamoren)MK-677 is often lumped in with peptides, but it is an oral non-peptide drug that acts on the ghrelin receptor. A…Not authorized in Canada