On July 20, 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 David Meeker, M.D., the Chairman of Rhythm’s Board of Directors, has been appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, effective immediately (Press release, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, JUL 20, 2020, View Source [SID1234562167]). Dr. Meeker succeeds Hunter Smith, the Company’s Interim President and CEO and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who will continue in his role as CFO.
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"I am delighted to announce David’s appointment as Rhythm’s new CEO," said Hunter Smith, CFO of Rhythm. "Since he joined our Board in 2015, David has played a key role in shaping the clinical and commercial strategy for setmelanotide and in fostering our collaborative and patient-focused culture. As we continue to work toward the first potential approval of setmelanotide in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency obesities later this year, David’s extensive experience leading commercial organizations and managing the launches of new medicines for rare genetic diseases, coupled with his proven ability to build strong relationships with patient and clinician communities, will be invaluable. The Rhythm team is energized by the opportunity to work more closely with David in an effort to deliver setmelanotide and potentially transform the care of people living with rare genetic disorders of obesity."
"Rhythm is an exciting company that I have long admired, both for its scientifically-rigorous approach to drug development and its commitment to patients with rare genetic disorders of obesity," said David Meeker, M.D. "With setmelanotide, we have the opportunity to bring one of the first meaningful therapeutic candidates to a segment of that community in dire need. Moreover, we hope our efforts will create visibility for rare genetic disorders of obesity, enabling better care for the people affected and catalyzing ongoing research efforts globally. The current management team has done a great job leading the organization through the transition and I am honored to take the CEO role."
Dr. Meeker has served as Chairman of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals since April 2017 and as a member of the Board since November 2015. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of KSQ Therapeutics. Previously, Dr. Meeker was the Executive Vice President and Head of Sanofi Genzyme, the specialty-care global business unit of Sanofi that focuses on rare diseases, multiple sclerosis, oncology and immunology. Dr. Meeker joined Genzyme in 1994 as Medical Director and, over the course of his tenure, served the company as Vice President of Medical Affairs, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Executive Officer. He led Genzyme’s commercial organization and global market access functions and managed the launch of several treatments for rare genetic diseases, including Aldurazyme, Fabrazyme and Myozyme. Prior to his tenure with Genzyme, Dr. Meeker was Director of the Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Ohio State University. Dr. Meeker earned his M.D. from the University of Vermont Medical School and completed the advanced management program at Harvard Business School.