BOSTON, July 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 Joseph Shulman as the Company’s Senior Vice President, Technical Operations. Mr. Shulman brings more than 20 years of industry experience in chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) technical development, operations, and program and alliance management.

“We are pleased to welcome Joe to Rhythm, particularly as we prepare to bring setmelanotide to patients living with pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency obesities,” said David Meeker, M.D., Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rhythm. “His proven ability to develop supply chains and global manufacturing strategies will prove invaluable in enhancing and leading our efforts to bring our investigational drug setmelanotide to patients with rare genetic disorders of obesity.”

Mr. Shulman joins Rhythm from Ra Pharmaceuticals, recently acquired by UCB, where he served as senior vice president of technical operations and oversaw all aspects of CMC development and strategy as a member of the executive leadership team. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of global technical operations at Novelion Therapeutics, and earlier in his career, Mr. Shulman held similar roles at Ziopharm Oncology and Dyax Corp. He holds an M.B.A. from Boston University and earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Miami University of Ohio.

“Rhythm has an opportunity to deliver the first-ever therapy to individuals living with rare genetic disorders that cause severe obesity and insatiable hunger,” Mr. Shulman said. “I look forward to collaborating with the team in an effort to ensure patients and caregivers around the world have a positive experience with setmelanotide. I am excited to join the Company during this transformational time.”

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 Company is developing setmelanotide, its investigational, melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist, for the treatment of severe obesity and hyperphagia associated with rare genetic disorders of obesity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing Rhythm’s New Drug Application (NDA) for setmelanotide for the treatment of POMC deficiency obesity and LEPR deficiency obesity with Priority Review and a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of November 27, 2020. Rhythm also submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for setmelanotide to treat individuals living with POMC deficiency obesity or LEPR deficiency obesity to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in June 2020. Rhythm is also evaluating setmelanotide for 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 healthcare professionals, visit www.UNcommonObesity.com for more information. For patients and caregivers, visit www.LEADforRareObesity.com for more information. The company is based in Boston, MA.