Rhythm Pharmaceuticals And Axovia Join Forces To Research About Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Axovia Therapeutics Ltd announced a research collaboration today to further illuminate Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS).

Prof. Phil Beales, Axovia Therapeutic’s Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, said, “We believe there is a significant need and opportunity with the growing awareness of BBS to understand the disease and its epidemiology better. At Axovia, we are utilizing gene therapy to address the loss of sight and obesity experienced by patients with BBS, and we are pleased to be collaborating with Rhythm.

He further continued, “Rhythm is a global company that pioneered research in the melanocortin-4 receptor pathway and developed the first and only commercially available drug to help treat hyperphagia and severe obesity in patients living with BBS. Rhythm and Axovia Therapeutics are natural collaborators in such an effort.”

David Meeker, M.D., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Rhythm, mentioned, “Prof. Beales is a leading expert on BBS and was involved in creating the original diagnostic criteria for patients with this disease. We are excited to work together with Axovia Therapeutics to advance our shared understanding of the disease and pool the knowledge we have gained from our respective screening efforts to further improve the lives of patients and their families living with BBS.”