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Comparison

Adipotide vs AOD-9604

Both are fat loss, so the meaningful differences are in kinetics, evidence and regulatory status.

On published evidence alone, AOD-9604 is the better documented of the two (clinical trials). That is a statement about the state of the literature, not a recommendation.

Adipotide AOD-9604
Class Fat loss Fat loss
Evidence Animal models only Clinical trials
Human trials ~1 ~6
Half-life ~30-60 minutes ~30 minutes
Reported range 500 mcg - 1 mg 300-600 mcg
Frequency Research protocols only Once daily, fasted
Routes Subcutaneous Subcutaneous, Oral
FDA approved No No
Research use only Yes Yes
Banned in sport No Yes
Studied for Obesity research Fat loss research, Investigated for osteoarthritis
Reported side effects Kidney tubule changes (primate data), Dehydration, Injection-site reactions, Reduced appetite Injection-site reactions, Headache, Transient fatigue

Adipotide

Adipotide is a chimeric peptide combining a prohibitin-targeting homing sequence with a proapoptotic domain. It binds prohibitin on the endothelial cells of white adipose tissue vasculature and triggers apoptosis, effectively starving fat depots of blood supply rather than acting on metabolism. A 2011 study in obese rhesus monkeys showed substantial weight and fat loss, along with dose-dependent kidney tubule changes that the authors described as predictable and reversible. It has not become an approved medicine. This is not a compound with a favourable risk profile and the page should say so unambiguously.

AOD-9604

AOD-9604 is the hGH 177-191 fragment with an added N-terminal tyrosine for stability. In preclinical models it increased lipolysis and inhibited lipogenesis without affecting IGF-1 or glucose metabolism, which made it an attractive obesity candidate. The phase IIb trial in obese adults did not separate from placebo on weight loss, and development for that indication was discontinued. It is worth stating plainly because the compound is still marketed on the strength of the preclinical data.

Adipotide vs AOD-9604: common questions

What is the difference between Adipotide and AOD-9604?

Both are fat loss. Adipotide: A proapoptotic peptide that destroys the blood supply to fat tissue. Caused kidney tubule changes in a primate study. AOD-9604: A modified growth hormone fragment developed specifically as an obesity drug, which failed to beat placebo in phase IIb.

Which has stronger evidence, Adipotide or AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 has the stronger evidence base (clinical trials, about 6 human studies) compared with Adipotide (animal models only).

Are Adipotide and AOD-9604 FDA approved?

Neither is FDA approved for any indication.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. PubChem compound record (CID 163360068) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  2. FDA: Unapproved drugs and "research use only" products ↗ · regulatory status of non-approved products
  3. PubChem compound record (CID 71300630) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  4. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · current year
  5. CAS Registry Number 221231-10-3 ↗ · chemical identity

Published literature

  1. Bora B, Das N, Bera A, et al.. Fluorinated High-Valent Sn(IV) Porphyrins Show Remarkable Photodynamic Activity in Cancer Cells.ChemMedChem 2024.PubMed 39017962 · doi:10.1002/cmdc.202400376
  2. Hu PL, Lin JS, Meng H, et al.. A novel "three-dimensional-printed individual guide template-assisted percutaneous vertebroplasty" for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: a prospective, controlled study.J Orthop Surg Res 2021.PubMed 34016139 · doi:10.1186/s13018-021-02471-w
  3. McGurgan PM, Olson-White D, Holgate M, et al.. Fitness-to-practise policies in Australian medical schools--are they fit for purpose?.Med J Aust 2010.PubMed 21143055 · doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2010.tb04098.x
  4. El-Etreby NM, Ghazy AA, Rashad R. Prohibitin: targeting peptide coupled to ovarian cancer, luteinization and TGF-β pathways.J Ovarian Res 2017.PubMed 28427435 · doi:10.1186/s13048-017-0325-4
  5. Barnhart KF, Christianson DR, Hanley PW, et al.. A peptidomimetic targeting white fat causes weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys.Sci Transl Med 2011.PubMed 22072637 · doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3002621
  6. Bora B, Das N, Sultana JP, et al.. Mn(III) porphyrins as photosensitizers: structural, photophysical and anticancer studies.Dalton Trans 2025.PubMed 40673971 · doi:10.1039/d4dt03432e
  7. Criscione L. Comment on "a peptidomimetic targeting white fat causes weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys".Sci Transl Med 2012.PubMed 22539771 · doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3003760
  8. Laut KG, Foldspang A. The effects on length of stay of introducing a fast track patient pathway for myocardial infarction: a before and after evaluation.Health Serv Manage Res 2012.PubMed 22323669 · doi:10.1258/hsmr.2011.011021
  9. Wilding J. AOD-9604 Metabolic.Curr Opin Investig Drugs 2004.PubMed 15134286
  10. Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2026.PubMed 41490200 · doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00236
  11. Mendias CL, Awan TM. Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance.Sports Med 2026.PubMed 41966639 · doi:10.1007/s40279-026-02437-0
  12. Halford JC. Obesity drugs in clinical development.Curr Opin Investig Drugs 2006.PubMed 16625817
  13. Thevis M, Schänzer W. Analytical approaches for the detection of emerging therapeutics and non-approved drugs in human doping controls.J Pharm Biomed Anal 2014.PubMed 24906629 · doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2014.05.020

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.

Read this first This page compares published reference data. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use either compound. Several compounds documented on this site are not approved for human use.