Rhythm announced the presentation of results from a clinical trial that evaluated the effect of RM-493, the company’s novel melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonist, on resting energy expenditure in obese subjects. Analysis of the data indicates that RM-493 increased resting energy expenditure significantly in this trial. The study results were presented by Monica Skarulis, MD, an investigator at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), at the joint meeting of the International Society of Endocrinology and the Endocrine Society (ICE/ENDO 2014) in Chicago.

 

“This is the first human study to test the hypothesis that an MC4R agonist increases energy expenditure,” said Skarulis. “The drug’s effect was significant with short-term treatment and has the potential to be clinically meaningful for treating obesity.” 

 

There is compelling scientific evidence that when dieting causes weight loss, the body tries to regain the weight by decreasing energy expenditure. In effect, changes in metabolic rate can make it difficult to maintain the weight loss. Accordingly, approaches to the management of obesity that target decreasing food intake along with increasing the metabolic rate have the potential to improve treatment.

 

“These study results are exciting clinical support for the mechanisms underlying RM-493’s efficacy for weight loss that we have seen in preclinical studies,” said Keith Gottesdiener, CEO of Rhythm. “It is well known that the MC4 receptor modulates weight through a combination of effects on food intake and energy homeostasis. But this is the first time that administration of an MC4 product candidate has demonstrated a substantive effect on energy expenditure in obese patients.” 

 

Date: June 23, 2014

Source: Rhythm