Under the terms of the agreement, UAE-based Genpharm will distribute IMCIVREE to patients in GCC countries for the treatment of hyperphagia and obesity
IMCIVREE is already approved in the US, Canada, the UK, and the European Union. (Credit: Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
US-based Rhythm Pharmaceuticals has collaborated with Genpharm Services to market Rhythm’s IMCIVREE (setmelanotide) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.
According to the terms of the agreement, UAE-based Genpharm will distribute IMCIVREE to patients in GCC countries for the treatment of hyperphagia and obesity.
These complications are caused by Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) or genetically-confirmed biallelic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1), or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency, said Rhythm Pharmaceuticals.
IMCIVREE is already approved for these indications in the US, Canada, the UK, and the European Union.
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals executive vice president and international head Yann Mazabraud said: “We are excited to expand access to IMCIVREE as we continue to increase the impact of this therapy globally.
“With its commitment to patient centricity and extensive experience providing novel treatments for rare diseases to patients throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Genpharm is the ideal partner to help deliver IMCIVREE with its full suite of regulatory, medical, commercial and operational capabilities.”
The biopharmaceutical company said that healthcare providers can now prescribe IMCIVREE to qualifying patients who they believe will benefit from the therapy in the GCC region.
Genpharm Chairman Kamel Ghammachi said: “Due to many factors, GCC countries have an increased prevalence of certain genetic diseases, creating a significant demand for precision therapies, like IMCIVREE, that address illnesses at their root cause.
“Rhythm is a pioneer in acknowledging and seeking to rectify the severe unmet need in rare MC4R pathway diseases, and we are thrilled to enter into this agreement allowing us to grant patients access to a treatment option that can control the hyperphagia and obesity associated with BBS and POMC, PCSK1, and LEPR deficiencies.”
Rhythm is also planning to advance a broad clinical development programme for IMCIVREE in other rare MC4R pathway diseases.
Additionally, the company will advance a preclinical suite of investigational candidates for the treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism.