Rhythm Pharmaceuticals
- Company typePublic
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersBoston, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Rhythm Pharmaceuticals does
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts (NASDAQ: RYTM) that develops and commercializes peptide therapeutics targeting the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway for rare neuroendocrine diseases characterized by hyperphagia and severe obesity. The company's lead product, IMCIVREE (setmelanotide), is a first-in-class MC4R agonist currently approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in patients with obesity due to POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency and Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and received FDA approval in March 2026 for acquired hypothalamic obesity — making it the first and only FDA-approved therapy for that indication. The pipeline extends to an oral MC4R-specific agonist (bivamelagon/LB54640, Phase 2 SIGNAL trial) and a weekly MC4R agonist (RM-718, Phase 2 in Prader-Willi syndrome), with a stated goal of moving beyond the first-generation daily subcutaneous injection.
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rhythm Pharmaceuticals
- Legal name
- Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Website
- https://rhythmtx.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rare Disease Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity) (HLAIAAAE)
Keywords
Where Rhythm Pharmaceuticals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- IMCIVREE (setmelanotide) Product Sales: Global net product sales of IMCIVREE for rare genetic obesity conditions. Revenue generated from direct product sales through specialty pharmacy distribution channels. Q1 2026 revenue of $60.1 million with 61% from U.S. and 39% international. Full-year 2025 revenue of approximately $194 million, representing 50% year-over-year growth.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | IMCIVREE is distributed exclusively through specialty pharmacy channels with patient support programs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals develops and commercializes peptide therapeutics targeting the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway for the treatment of rare neuroendocrine diseases. Its lead product, IMCIVREE (setmelanotide), is an FDA-approved injection for chronic weight management in patients with monogenic or syndromic obesity (POMC, PCSK1, LEPR deficiency, Bardet-Biedl syndrome) and acquired hypothalamic obesity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IMCIVREE: FDA-approved therapy (setmelanotide) for chronic weight management in patients with rare genetic obesity conditions including POMC, PCSK1, LEPR deficiency and Bardet-Biedl syndrome
- Rhythm InTune
- GOLD Academy
- LEAD for Rare Obesity
- Uncovering Rare Obesity
- Rhythm Imtune
Products and services
- IMCIVREE (setmelanotide) FDA-approved MC4R agonist injection for chronic weight management in patients 6 years and older with monogenic or syndromic obesity due to POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency and Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Now also approved for acquired hypothalamic obesity in adults and pediatric patients aged 4 and older. Distributed through specialty pharmacy channels.
Quantifiable outcome
- 18.4% placebo-adjusted BMI reduction at 52 weeks in acquired hypothalamic obesity (TRANSCEND trial)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Rhythm Pharmaceuticals
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- LG Chem Life SciencesstrategicAcquired oral MC4R agonist LB54640 (now named bivamelagon) from LG Chem Life Sciences. This next-generation oral therapy is being developed as a potential treatment for acquired hypothalamic obesity and other rare MC4R pathway diseases.
- Xinvento BVstrategicRhythm Pharmaceuticals BV, a Dutch subsidiary of US-based Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, acquired biotech company Xinvento BV in Amsterdam for up to $211 million. The acquisition focuses on developing therapies for congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), with key contributions from Xinvento's founder Claudine van der Sande. The deal includes upfront, milestone, and sales-based payments.
- PANTHERx Rare PharmacycorePANTHERx Rare Pharmacy is the exclusive U.S. specialty pharmacy distribution partner for IMCIVREE. The partnership began in 2020 for rare obesity indications (Bardet-Biedl syndrome and POMC, PCSK1, LEPR deficiency) and was expanded in March 2026 to include the new acquired hypothalamic obesity indication. PANTHERx handles specialty distribution, patient support, and reimbursement services for the drug.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Larger rare-disease innovator with franchise in CF, sickle cell and pain. Comparable to Rhythm as a science-driven, single-mechanism-focused rare disease company with premium orphan economics and expanding label strategy.
- Sanofi (Genzyme): Large-cap pharma with rare disease franchise (Genzyme legacy) including rare metabolic and endocrine disorder therapies. Comparable to Rhythm as a rare-disease benchmark; CEO David Meeker and several other Rhythm executives are Genzyme alumni, and Sanofi Genzyme is the prior employer of multiple key Rhythm leaders.
- Novo Nordisk: Global leader in obesity therapeutics (Wegovy/Saxenda) and rare endocrine disease player. Relevant broad incumbent because of category overlap (obesity therapeutics), large commercial muscle, and potential interest in expanding GLP-1 franchises into rare genetic obesity indications.
Emerging players
- Crinetics Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage rare endocrine disease developer (acromegaly, Cushing's, congenital hyperinsulinism programs). Direct overlap with Rhythm's MC4R pathway and rare endocrine disease focus, and direct competitor in the congenital hyperinsulinism indication Rhythm entered via Xinvento.
- Soleno Therapeutics: Developer of DCCR for Prader-Willi syndrome hyperphagia. Direct emerging competitor to setmelanotide in PWS — a key Phase 3 indication Rhythm is advancing — making it the most direct therapeutic-overlap peer.
- Aardvark Therapeutics: Clinical-stage developer of ARD-101, an oral MC4R agonist for rare and common obesity indications. Direct emerging competitor to Rhythm in the MC4R pathway space and to the oral bivamelagon program in particular.
Direct peers
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Specialty biopharma commercializing RNA-based therapies for rare genetic diseases with similar orphan-drug commercial economics, specialty distribution, and pipeline expansion via platform technology.
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals: Specialty biopharma with antisense oligonucleotide platform targeting rare neurological and metabolic diseases. Comparable to Rhythm in rare disease pipeline depth, specialty commercial model, and multi-indication strategy from a single mechanism platform.
- Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical: Late-stage rare disease biotech commercializing treatments for ultra-rare metabolic and endocrine disorders (Crysvita, Dojolvi). Comparable to Rhythm in patient identification challenges, specialty distribution, and pipeline of orphan endocrine/metabolic assets.
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical: Commercial-stage rare disease biopharma with a multi-indication orphan drug franchise (e.g., Vimizim, Naglazyme, Voxzogo). Directly comparable to Rhythm in business model: focused rare disease pipeline, specialty/rare distribution, premium orphan pricing, and similar reliance on individual product success.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals social profiles
Digital presenceRhythm Pharmaceuticals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds12 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rhythm Pharmaceuticals
What does Rhythm Pharmaceuticals do?
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals develops and commercializes peptide therapeutics targeting the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway for the treatment of rare neuroendocrine diseases. Its lead product, IMCIVREE (setmelanotide), is an FDA-approved injection for chronic weight management in patients with monogenic or syndromic obesity (POMC, PCSK1, LEPR deficiency, Bardet-Biedl syndrome) and acquired hypothalamic obesity.
Is Rhythm Pharmaceuticals a public or private company?
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Rhythm Pharmaceuticals founded?
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2008. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Rhythm Pharmaceuticals based?
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rhythm Pharmaceuticals make money?
One revenue line is on record: IMCIVREE (setmelanotide) Product Sales.
Who are Rhythm Pharmaceuticals's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi (Genzyme) and Novo Nordisk. Emerging players are Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Soleno Therapeutics and Aardvark Therapeutics. Direct peers are Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical and BioMarin Pharmaceutical.
Does Rhythm Pharmaceuticals have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rhythm Pharmaceuticals.
What industry is Rhythm Pharmaceuticals in?
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals's product category is Rare Disease Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAC, Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAE, Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity). Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2834.