Where it comes from
Human growth hormone is a protein of 191 amino acids. AOD-9604 copies its last 15 amino acids and adds a tyrosine (Y) at the front, giving 16 in total.
It was developed in Australia as a drug candidate. Its clinical programme did not lead to an approved medicine, and it is not licensed anywhere.
A small loop in the chain
The sequence contains two cysteines (C). In the finished peptide they are joined by a disulfide bridge, which closes part of the chain into a loop. That matters for testing:
Regulatory and sporting status
AOD-9604 is not an approved medicine in the UK, the EU or the US. In the UK, a product presented or sold for use in people is treated as a medicine, which needs a licence from the MHRA.
The FDA lists AOD-9604 among bulk substances that may present significant safety risks in compounding, citing possible immune reactions and difficulty characterising peptide impurities.
The WADA Prohibited List names AOD-9604 as an example of a prohibited growth hormone fragment, banned in and out of competition.
Educational information only. Nothing here is medical advice, dosing guidance or a recommendation to use any substance. Research peptides are not approved medicines and are not for human or animal consumption. Speak to a qualified professional and follow the law where you are.
