NICE recommends Rhythm’s Imcivree for rare genetic obesity disorder
Drug ApprovalClinical ResultPhase 2
Preview
Source: Pharmaceutical Technology
Bardet-Biedl syndrome patients struggle to manage their weight due to lower energy needs and constant hunger. Image credit: Shutterstock/ New Africa.
As increasing varieties of drugs aimed at weight loss hit the shelves, a new treatment that targets obesity and hunger control with a genetic cause will soon be available on England and Wales’ NHS.
This news comes after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended Rhythm Pharmaceuticals’ Imcivree (setmelanotide) injection for the treatment of obesity and extreme hunger – also known as hyperphagia – in patients with Bardet-Biedl syndrome.
Those who are genetically confirmed to have the disease and between six and 17 years of age will be eligible to start the therapy. Patients who continue to benefit from treatment can carry on taking the injection into adulthood.
US-based Rhythm expects Imcivree will be funded and available on the NHS in England and Wales within the next three months.
The biotech stated it is also pressing ahead with a submission to the Scottish Medicines Consortium, with a decision expected next year.
See Also:AstraZeneca makes another obesity play funnelling $80m into SixPeaks Bio
Preview
Source: Pharmaceutical Technology
Preview
Source: Pharmaceutical Technology
Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a rare genetic condition that affects many parts of the body. In addition to issues with vision, the number of digits, and kidney function, all of which are impaired in this condition, early obesity is a major clinical feature of the disease. According to the NHS, Bardet-Biedl syndrome patients struggle to manage their weight due to lower energy needs and hyperphagia.
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health’s Dr Philip Beales said: “Hyperphagia – the feeling of extreme hunger that stays with patients all the time – leads to early-onset, life-long, severe obesity that affects many aspects of daily living. Until now there have been no licensed treatments for obesity and hyperphagia caused by [Bardet-Biedl syndrome].”
Rhythm’s Imcivree can reduce weight and body mass index (BMI), along with lowering hyperphagia. The injection works by activating melanocortin receptor 4, which promotes a feeling of fullness after eating.
The drug was approved in Europe for treating obesity and the control of hunger associated with deficiency of three genes in 2021. The UK’s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) expanded approval in 2022 to include patients with Bardet-Biedl syndrome.
Rhythm has plans for the drug beyond the currently approved indications. The biotech reported positive results from a Phase II trial investigating Imcivree in the treatment of hypothalamic obesity last year.
For more details,please visit the original website
The content of the article does not represent any opinions of Synapse and its affiliated companies. If there is any copyright infringement or error, please contact us, and we will deal with it within 24 hours.
Organizations
Indications
Targets
Hot reports
Get started for free today!
Accelerate Strategic R&D decision making with Synapse, PatSnap’s AI-powered Connected Innovation Intelligence Platform Built for Life Sciences Professionals.
Start your data trial now!
Synapse data is also accessible to external entities via APIs or data packages. Leverages most recent intelligence information, enabling fullest potential.