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New Hope for Brain Injury Obesity Patients
20 Mar
Summary
- FDA approved Rhythm Pharma's therapy for rare obesity.
- This is the first treatment for acquired hypothalamic obesity.
- The drug is administered via a once-daily injection.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded the use of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals' therapy, making it the first approved treatment in the country for a rare form of obesity caused by brain damage. This new approval specifically targets acquired hypothalamic obesity, a condition resulting in significant weight gain due to injuries like tumors or strokes affecting the hypothalamus.
The therapy, known chemically as setmelanotide and marketed as Imcivree, is already approved for genetic obesity. It works by activating the MC4R pathway in the brain, which regulates appetite and calorie processing. This mechanism aims to reduce hunger and boost the body's energy expenditure.
Clinical studies demonstrated significant weight reduction, with setmelanotide achieving a 15.8% decrease in BMI at 52 weeks, contrasting with a 2.6% increase in the placebo group. Patient advocacy groups have welcomed this development, highlighting the unmet need for effective treatments for individuals suffering from hypothalamic obesity, offering them much-needed hope for better management of their condition.
