Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication of Results from Phase 2 Study of Setmelanotide for the Treatment of Hypothalamic Obesity in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology

- Publication highlights administration of setmelanotide therapy resulted in a mean percent reduction in BMI of 15% at 16 weeks and 26% at one year of treatment -

- Topline data from ongoing pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial in hypothalamic obesity on track for 2Q 2025 -

BOSTON, April 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RYTM), a global commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming the lives of patients and their families living with rare neuroendocrine diseases, today announced the publication of previously disclosed results from its Phase 2 study of setmelanotide for the treatment of hypothalamic obesity. The data are published in the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

“People with hypothalamic obesity experience rapid, severe weight gain and hyperphagia,” said lead author Christian Roth, M.D., Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington. “In this first study to investigate the use of setmelanotide as a targeted treatment for hypothalamic obesity, we observed a consistent reduction in body weight and hunger in all adherent patients. We believe these findings support setmelanotide as a potential novel and effective treatment option, and we look forward to potentially confirming the results in the ongoing pivotal study.”

Acquired hypothalamic obesity is a rare form of extreme obesity that occurs following damage to the hypothalamic region of the brain, which includes the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway and is responsible for controlling physiological functions such as hunger and weight regulation. It most frequently follows the growth or surgical removal of craniopharyngioma, astrocytoma, or other rare brain tumors. Patients experience rapid weight gain, a reduction in energy expenditure, and an increase in hunger leading to severe obesity within six to 12 months following tumor resection.

Rhythm enrolled 18 patients in its open-label, 16-week Phase 2 trial designed to evaluate setmelanotide in acquired hypothalamic obesity in patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥95th percentile (children 6 to <18 years) or ≥35 kg/m² (adults ≥18 years). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved a 5% or greater reduction in BMI after 16 weeks of treatment. Hunger was also assessed daily, as self-reported by individual patients. As previously disclosed, results demonstrated: