Rhythm Pharmaceuticals reported that its investigational oral MC4R agonist bivamelagon achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful weight reduction in a placebo-controlled Phase 2 study of patients with acquired hypothalamic obesity. In the 28-patient trial, the highest 600-mg daily dose produced a 9.3% reduction in body-mass index after 14 weeks, while the 400-mg dose cut BMI by 7.7%. By contrast, BMI in the placebo group rose 2.2%. Safety findings were largely mild and consistent with the drug class, with nausea and diarrhoea the most common adverse events. The data extended Rhythm’s MC4R franchise beyond the injectable Imcivree and sent the Nasdaq-listed shares up more than 36% on 9 July. Analysts said the oral formulation could lengthen the company’s obesity portfolio patent life and improve patient convenience if longer-term durability and safety hold up in later-stage trials. Following the market close, the Boston-based biotech announced a planned public offering of common stock, saying proceeds will fund Phase 3 development of bivamelagon and other pipeline projects.