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Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Provides Updates on Leadership Transition and Business Operations Hunter Smith, Chief Financial Officer, appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer following completion of NDA submission to FDA Precautionary measures in place to mitigate impact of COVID-19 on clinical programs BOSTON, March 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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, today announced that Hunter Smith, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, has been named to the additional role of Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. 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). “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 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 stuies can continue with minimal interruption.” POMC Deficiency Obesity and LEPR Deficiency Obesity Ongoing Clinical Trials of Setmelanotide 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. About Rhythm Rhythm is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of rare genetic disorders of obesity. In August 2019, the company announced positive topline results from pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials of setmelanotide, its MC4R agonist, in people living with POMC deficiency obesity and LEPR deficiency obesity and, in March 2020, completed its first rolling NDA submission to the FDA. Rhythm is also evaluating setmelanotide for reduction in hunger and body weight in a pivotal Phase 3 trial in people living with Bardet-Biedl and Alström syndromes, with topline data from this trial expected in the fourth quarter of 2020 or early in the first quarter of 2021. Rhythm is leveraging the Rhythm Engine -- comprised of its Phase 2 basket study, TEMPO Registry, GO-ID genotyping study and Uncovering Rare Obesity program -- to improve the understanding, diagnosis and potentially the treatment of rare genetic disorders of obesity. For healthcare professionals, visit www.UNcommonObesity.com for more information. For patients and caregivers, visit www.LEADforRareObesity.com for more information. The company is based in Boston, MA. Forward-Looking Statements Corporate Contact: Investor Contact: Media Contact: |