AOD-9604

AOD-9604 is a small fragment taken from the tail end of the growth-hormone molecule — the region thought to carry GH's fat-burning activity, separated from its other effects.

The idea was that this fragment could stimulate fat breakdown (lipolysis) and discourage fat storage without raising IGF-1 or disturbing blood sugar the way full growth hormone can. That selective 'fat-loss only' promise is what made it attractive.

In practice, the pivotal human obesity trials did not show meaningful weight loss, so the central claim largely failed to hold up. It is not approved as a therapy.