On March 30, 2020 Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RYTM), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company aimed at developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of rare genetic disorders of obesity, reported that Hunter Smith, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, has been named to the additional role of Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately (Press release, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, MAR 30, 2020, View Source [SID1234556041]). Mr. Smith succeeds Keith Gottesdiener, M.D. whose planned departure was announced by the Company in January 2020. Dr. Gottesdiener stepped down from his roles as CEO, President and member of the Board of Directors following the Company’s completion of its New Drug Application (NDA) submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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"On behalf of the Board, I am pleased that Hunter and the Rhythm management team will continue their excellent stewardship of the Company and dedication to transforming the care of people living with rare genetic disorders of obesity while we continue our search for a permanent CEO," said David Meeker, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors. "With Murray Stewart, Chief Medical Officer, leading our clinical development and regulatory strategy and Nithya Desikan, Chief Commercial Officer, and her team making tremendous strides in community building, we believe that Rhythm is well positioned to change the paradigm for rare genetic obesity."
As previously disclosed, the Company’s Board of Directors has formed a search committee and retained an executive search firm to assist in identifying Dr. Gottesdiener’s permanent successor. The Board has made significant progress in the search process and is considering a number of highly qualified candidates.
"I look forward to working closely with the Board, Murray and Nithya, our colleagues on the management team, and the entire Rhythm team to advance setmelanotide," Mr. Smith said. "We are committed to working with patients and the community to build greater awareness and understanding of rare genetic disorders of obesity so we can maximize our impact and transform the care of people living with these conditions."
COVID-19 and Business Continuity
To help protect the health and safety of the patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals involved in its ongoing clinical trials of setmelanotide, as well as its employees, in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Rhythm has implemented a number of precautionary clinical and operational measures to protect patient well-being and ensure consistent and appropriate clinical trial conduct.
With many clinical trial sites already closing down in response to COVID-19-related country- and state-level guidelines and more closures expected, Rhythm and study investigators and staff remain focused on the safety, treatment and monitoring of patients currently enrolled in these trials. Rhythm has introduced measures to ensure patients in ongoing clinical trials continue to be monitored as scheduled and receive their study drug.
Mr. Smith continued, "We are acutely aware of the unprecedented crisis unfolding across the globe as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past several weeks, we have put measures in place to protect the health and safety of patients and staff participating in our clinical trials, as well as our employees and their families, and to seek to ensure that our ongoing studies can continue with minimal interruption."
POMC Deficiency Obesity and LEPR Deficiency Obesity
Today, Rhythm announced that it has completed its rolling submission of an NDA to the FDA for setmelanotide for the treatment of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) deficiency obesity and leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency obesity. The FDA typically has a 60-day filing review period to determine whether the NDA is complete and acceptable for filing. Rhythm has requested priority review for the application which, if granted, could provide a target FDA review period of six months from the application filing date. Rhythm continues to anticipate that it will submit a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the second quarter of 2020. At this time, Rhythm is continuing its regular interactions with the FDA and EMA and based on current information, the Company does not anticipate COVID-19 to materially affect its timelines.
Ongoing Clinical Trials of Setmelanotide
Rhythm continues to expect to meet disclosed timelines for reporting data from its pivotal Phase 3 trial in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) and Alström Syndrome and Phase 2 Basket Study. The Company anticipates announcing topline data in the fourth quarter of 2020 or early in the first quarter of 2021 from the Phase 3 BBS and Alström syndrome trial, which completed enrollment in December 2019. Rhythm also anticipates announcing additional data in high-impact heterozygous (HET) obesity and additional data from one or more of its other ongoing indications in 2020, based on current enrollment levels in the Phase 2 Basket Study.
Rhythm currently believes there will be no disruption of clinical supply of setmelanotide. The Company’s contract manufacturers have indicated that they have appropriate plans and procedures in place to ensure uninterrupted future supply of clinical and commercial-grade setmelanotide, subject to potential limitations on their operations due to COVID-19.
Corporate Operations
Consistent with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Rhythm has also implemented measures to help keep the Company’s employees, families, and local communities healthy and safe. All employees are working remotely and all business travel has been restricted.