Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Expands Access To IMCIVREE Across Canadian Provinces For Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Patients

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to rare neuroendocrine diseases, announced new Product Listing Agreements across several Canadian regions, including Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, as well as with the Federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program. These agreements secure public reimbursement for IMCIVREE, the company’s treatment for weight management in adults and children aged six years and older with clinically or genetically confirmed Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) and obesity.

“These listing agreements for IMCIVREE mark a significant milestone for individuals living with obesity due to Bardet-Biedl syndrome,” said Prof. Andrea M. Haqq, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta. “Patients and families in these provinces can now access a treatment that addresses a root cause of their disease, offering hope and improved quality of life.”

IMCIVREE received Health Canada approval in May 2023 under a priority review and was recently added to the Common Drug List for rare diseases. This inclusion aligns with Canada’s National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases, a government initiative aimed at improving access to therapies for patients with rare and life-altering conditions. The listing helps ensure broader and equitable access to IMCIVREE across Canada’s healthcare system.

“These agreements are an important recognition of the substantial burden of obesity associated with this rare disease,” said Carol Stiff, General Manager, Rhythm Canada. “We continue to engage with all provinces and territories to work toward equitable access in Canada for all patients living with obesity due to BBS.”

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare inherited disorder affecting multiple body systems. It is characterized by symptoms such as excessive hunger (hyperphagia), early-onset severe obesity, visual impairment, polydactyly, kidney and genital abnormalities, and cognitive challenges. With public reimbursement now available, eligible patients across Canada will have improved access to IMCIVREE, offering a targeted therapy for one of the most complex manifestations of BBS.