Author Archives: Joana Carvalho

The new weekly formulation of setmelanotide, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals’ lead candidate for rare genetic obesity disorders, continues to be as effective and safe at promoting weight loss in healthy obese individuals as its daily formulation, according to new interim data from a Phase 2 clinical…

Two variants of the Alström syndrome 1 (ALMS1) gene can increase the risk of heart attack in Chinese people with early onset coronary artery disease (CAD), a study reports. The study, “Association between ALMS 1 variants and early-onset coronary artery disease: a case-control study…

Two gene variants normally associated with type 2 diabetes risk are also linked to obesity in an Egyptian population, a study has found. The study, “Evaluation of genetic susceptibility of six type II diabetes genome-wide association studies loci for obesity,” was published in the journal…

Obesity is associated with brain structural abnormalities in healthy individuals, as well as in those with major depressive disorder (MDD), a study has found. The findings revealed that carrying a higher genetic risk for obesity is linked with reduced brain surface area. The study, “Brain Structural…

Air pollution may be associated with obesity and body fat percentage, according to a comprehensive new study from the United Kingdom. The link between certain air pollutants and obesity may be stronger among individuals who are genetically predisposed to have a higher body mass index (BMI), the findings suggested.

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals remains on track to file a new drug application (NDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the first quarter of this year requesting the approval of setmelanotide to treat POMC deficiency or LEPR deficiency, two rare genetic obesity disorders. Disorders such…

Unlike height, body mass index (BMI) and other obesity-related traits are strongly influenced by interactions between an individual’s genetic background and environmental factors. A study with that finding, “Genotype-by-environment interactions inferred from genetic effects on phenotypic variability in the UK Biobank,” was published in Science Advances. “Most…

Scientists discovered gene variants that increase the risk of excessive weight gain in women during pregnancy, which is directly associated with excessive weight in newborns. The findings of the study, “MC4R and ENPP1 gene polymorphisms and their implication in maternal and neonatal risk for obesity,” were published in…

By looking at the genetic backgrounds of nearly 30,000 individuals from different ethnic groups, scientists have identified a new genetic variant associated with childhood obesity and confirmed 18 others. Results from the study with that finding, “A Trans-ancestral Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies Reveals Loci Associated with Childhood…

Two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials assessing the effects of setmelanotide as an obesity treatment for patients with proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency have met their primary goals, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals announced. A high proportion of patients in both studies achieved more…