– USA, MA – 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 the appointment of Beauard Chairman Dr David Meeker as the President and CEO, effective immediately.
Dr. Meeker succeeds Hunter Smith, the Interim President and CEO and CFO, who will continue in his role as CFO.
“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 and leptin receptor 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.”
About Dr. Meeker
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.
“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 Dr David Meeker. “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 earned his M.D. from the University of Vermont Medical School and completed the advanced management program at Harvard Business School.
About Rhythm Pharmaceuticals
Rhythm is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of rare genetic disorders of obesity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for filing Rhythm’s New Drug Application for setmelanotide for the treatment of POMC deficiency obesity and LEPR deficiency obesity with Priority Review of the NDA and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act goal date of November 27, 2020. Rhythm also submitted a Marketing Authorization Application for setmelanotide to treat individuals living with POMC deficiency obesity or LEPR deficiency obesity to the European Medicines Agency in June 2020. Rhythm is also evaluating setmelanotide for the 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 more information: http://www.rhythmtx.com
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