Rhythm Pharmaceuticals and LG Chem Life Sciences enter license agreement
Betsy Goodfellow | January 5, 2024 | News story | Medical Communications | LG Chem Life Sciences, License Agreement, Pharmacy, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, clinical trial
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals and LG Chem Life Sciences have announced that they have entered into a global licensing agreement for LB54640, an investigational oral small molecule melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist which is currently in phase 2 clinical trials.
A phase 1 trial of the candidate in healthy overweight adults demonstrated dose-dependent weight reduction. The drug also had a favourable safety profile in the trial, and triggered no changes in blood pressure or heart rate, with no hyperpigmentation observed.
The candidate has already received orphan drug designation from the US Food and Drug Administration for leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency and proopiomelanocortin (POMC).
David Meeker MD, chair, chief executive officer and president of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, commented: “We are excited to build upon the strong chemistry and early translational work performed by LG Chem, a highly regarded company with deep and broad experience and expertise in the pharmaceutical business. The development of an effective oral therapy for treating MC4R pathway diseases has been a major goal for the industry and the early data from LG Chem suggest they have identified a specific therapy for the MC4R without hyperpigmentation or cardiovascular side effects. We believe Rhythm’s deep developmental experience and global commercial presence uniquely positions us to move this molecule forward with the goal of offering a full portfolio of treatment options to patients struggling with hyperphagia and severe obesity and ensuring they get the treatment that is right for them.”
Betsy Goodfellow
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