RHYTHM PHARMACEUTICALS INC
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Feb 28, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Feb 28, 2025
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-K
Period ended 2023-12-31; filed 2024-02-29.
0001558370-24-002181
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-K
Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-02-28.
0001558370-25-001889
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 105 previous paragraphs and 110 current paragraphs.
55 unchanged; 35 reworded; 14 added; 8 removed; 7 previous and 6 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 44 previous and 48 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (14)
Current report
In addition to setmelanotide, we have two earlier-stage investigational MC4R agonists in clinical development, RM-718, designed for weekly administration, and bivamelagon, an oral small molecule, which are each advancing in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, respectively. These investigational assets are designed to be highly selective for the MC4R and MC1R sparing and thereby not cause hyperpigmentation. We completed enrollment in our Phase 2 trial evaluating bivamelagon, in acquired hypothalamic obesity in the first quarter of 2025. With RM-718, we anticipate initiating Part C of our Phase 1 trial to evaluate this weekly MC4R agonist in patients with acquired hypothalamic obesity in the first quarter of 2025.
Current report
Revenue Recognition
Current report
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, we recognize revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for the goods or services provided. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements within the scope of ASC 606, we perform the following five steps: (1) identify the contracts with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation. At contract inception, we assess the goods or services promised within each contract and determine those that are performance obligations and assess whether each promised good or service is distinct. We then recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when or as the performance obligation is satisfied. For all contracts that fall into the scope of ASC 606, we have identified one performance obligation: the sale of IMCIVREE to our customers. We have not incurred or capitalized any incremental costs associated with obtaining contracts with customers.
Current report
In the United States, which accounts for the largest portion of our total revenues, the Company sells its product to one material specialty pharmacy. The product is distributed through third-party logistics, or 3PL, distribution agent that does not take title to the product. Once the product is delivered to the Company’s specialty pharmacy provider, our customer in the United States, the customer (or “wholesaler”) takes title to the product. The wholesaler then distributes the product to patients. In our distribution agreement with the 3PL company, the Company acts as principal because we retain control of the product. Internationally, we make sales primarily to specialty distributors and retail pharmacy chains, as well as hospitals, many of which are government-owned or supported. The Company offers returns of product sold to the customer on a limited basis, however, no material returns have been recognized to date.
Current report
Revenue is recorded at net selling price (transaction price), which includes estimates of variable consideration. Our variable consideration consists of government rebates, trade discounts, product returns and other incentives. The largest of our variable consideration components is government rebates for which reserves are established for estimated rebates for programs such as Medicaid, Medicare and Tricare in the United States as well as certain government rebates and pricing adjustments in certain international markets that we operate. We estimate these rebates based upon a range of possible outcomes that take into consideration the estimated payer mix. These reserves are recorded in the same period the related revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue and the establishment of a liability that is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. On a quarterly basis, we update our estimates and record any necessary adjustments in the period identified. Overall, these reserves reflect our best estimates of the amount of consideration to which we are entitled based on the terms of the applicable contract. If actual results in the future vary from estimates, we adjust these estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known. Provisions for trade discounts, chargebacks and allowances are recorded as reductions to accounts receivable, and returns, government rebates, and other incentives are recorded as a component of accrued expenses.
Current report
activity due to the completion and wind down of our long term extension trial, Phase 2 Basket trial, Phase 3 pediatrics trial, and switch trial; and
Current report
*Other income (expense), net.*Other income (expense), net increased by $5.0 million to $5.2 million in 2024 from $0.2 million in 2023, which was due to the following:
Current report
As of December 31, 2024, our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were approximately $320.6 million.
Current report
Net cash used in investing activities was $48.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and related to purchases of short term investments for $268.3 million and cash used for the purchase of LGC’s proprietary compound bivamelagon for $40.0 million in January 2024, offset by gross maturities of short-term investments of $260.6 million.
Current report
On February 29, 2024, we and Cowen entered into Amendment No. 1 to Sales Agreement (the “Amendment”) to increase the aggregate offering price of the shares of common stock that may be issued and sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement to $200.0 million (excluding the aggregate offering price of shares of common stock issued and sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement prior to February 29, 2024). In connection with the Amendment, on February 29, 2024, we filed with the SEC a prospectus supplement, dated February 29, 2024, which, combined with the Base Prospectus (together, the “New Prospectus”), amended the Prior Prospectus in its entirety. The issuances and sales under the Sales Agreement, as amended by the Amendment, will be made pursuant to the Registration Statement and the New Prospectus.
Current report
Beginning on December 10, 2024 the company sold 744,595 shares of common stock in the ATM program for net proceeds of $41.2 million as of December 31, 2024. The company sold an additional 587,510 shares of common stock in the ATM program through January 21, 2025 for net proceeds of approximately $32.1 million.
Current report
Other funding
Current report
In April 2024, we received $147.8 million in net proceeds under the Investment Agreement, with certain affiliates of Perceptive Advisors LLC, or Perceptive, and certain other investors, relating to the issuance and sale of 150,000 shares of a new series of the Company’s Convertible Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $150.0 million, or $1,000 per share.
Current report
On May 2, 2024, we entered into an agreement to amend the current operating lease agreement for our head office facilityin Boston, Massachusetts. Under the amendment, the current lease was extended for five years through July 31, 2030. The lease includes approximately 13,600 square feet of office space.
Removed paragraphs (8)
Previous report
As of December 31, 2023, we had net operating loss carryforwards to reduce federal and state incomes taxes of approximately $555.6 million and $598.0 million, respectively. If not utilized, these carryforwards begin to expire in 2033. Of the federal net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2023, $482.4 million can be carried forward indefinitely. In addition, as of December 31, 2023, we had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $1.3 million which have an indefinite carryforward period. At December 31, 2023, we also had available research and development tax credits for federal and state income tax purposes of approximately $13.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively. Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, we had federal orphan drug credits related to qualifying research of $25.5 million. These tax credit carryforwards begin to expire in 2033 for federal purposes and 2028 for state purposes.
Previous report
License revenue. We did not recognize license revenue in 2023, compared to $6.8 million of license revenue in 2022 related entirely to the RareStone license agreement. We entered into a license agreement with RareStone in December 2021 and completed our activities required to transfer the license to RareStone during the second quarter of 2022, which resulted in the recognition of the license revenue.
Previous report
*Other (expense) income, net.*Other (expense) income, net increased by $2.2 million to $0.2 million in 2023, a increase of 112%. The net increase was primarily due to the following:
Previous report
As of December 31, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were approximately $275.8 million.
Previous report
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Previous report
Net cash provided by investing activities was $28.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 which relates to the proceeds from short-term investments of $32.2 million, partially offset by $0.3 million related to the purchase of property plant and equipment and $4.0 million for the acquisition of an intangible asset.
Previous report
Under the terms of the Takeda license agreement, assuming that RM-853, is successfully developed, receives regulatory approval and is commercialized, Takeda may receive aggregate payments of up to $140.0 million upon the achievement of certain development and commercial milestones under the license agreement and royalties on future product sales. The majority of the aggregate payments under the Takeda license agreement are for milestones that may be achieved no earlier than first commercial sale of the RM-853. We have notified Takeda that we have halted development activities related to RM-853. We did not make milestone payments to Takeda during 2023.
Previous report
In August 2018, we amended our existing Lease Agreement for our head office facility in Boston, Massachusetts. The new lease term commenced in May 2019 and has a term of six years with a five-year renewal option to extend the lease. The new lease includes approximately 13,600 square feet of office space.
Reworded paragraphs (35)
Previous wording
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors. We discuss factors that we believe could cause or contribute to these differences
Current wording
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors. We discuss factors that we believe could cause or contribute to these differences below and elsewhere in this report, including those set forth under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Annual Report.
Previous wording
In this Item 7, we discuss the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and comparisons of our cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023 to the year ended December 31, 2022. Discussion and analysis of our 2021fiscal year, as well as the year-over-year comparison of our 2022 financial performance to 2021, are located in Part II, Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022,*filed with the SEC on March 1, 2023.
Current wording
**In this Item 7, we discuss the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and comparisons of our cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2024 to the year ended December 31, 2023. Discussion and analysis of our 2022 fiscal year, as well as the year-over-year comparison of our 2023 financial performance to 2022, are located in Part II, Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023,*filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024.
Previous wording
We are a global, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients and their families living with rare neuroendocrine diseases. We are focused on advancing our melanocortin-4 recptor (MC4R) agonists, including our lead asset, IMCIVREE® (setmelanotide), as a precision medicine designed to treat hyperphagia and severe obesity caused by MC4R pathway diseases. While obesity affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, we are advancing developing therapies for a subset of individuals who have hyperphagia, a pathological hunger, and severe obesity due to an impaired MC4R pathway, which may be caused by traumatic injury or genetic variants. The MC4R pathway is an endocrine pathway in the brain that is responsible for regulating hunger, caloric intake and energy expenditure, which consequently affect body weight. IMCIVREE, an MC4R agonist for which we hold worldwide rights, is the first-ever therapy developed for patients with certain rare diseases that is approved or authorized in the United States, European Union (EU), Great Britain, Canada and other countries and regions. IMCIVREE is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with monogenic or syndromic obesity due to: (i) proopiomelanocortin (POMC), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency as determined by an FDA-approved test demonstrating variants in POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR genes that are interpreted as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or of uncertain significance (VUS); or (ii) Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). The European Commission (EC) and Great Britain’s Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have authorized IMCIVREE for the treatment of obesity and the control of hunger associated with genetically confirmed BBS or genetically confirmed loss-of-function biallelic POMC, including PCSK1, deficiency or biallelic LEPR deficiency in adults and children 6 years of age and above. In addition to the United States and Canada, we have achieved market access for IMCIVREE for BBS or POMC and LEPR deficiencies, or both, in 14 countries outside the United States, and we continue to collaborate with authorities to achieve access in additional markets.
Current wording
IMCIVREE is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adult and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older with syndromic or monogenic obesity due to BBS or proopiomelanocortin (POMC), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1), or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency as determined by an FDA-approved test demonstrating variants in POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR genes that are interpreted as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or of uncertain significance (VUS). The European Commission (EC) and the United Kingdom’s Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have authorized IMCIVREE for the treatment of obesity and the control of hunger associated with genetically confirmed BBS or loss-of-function biallelic POMC, including PCSK1, deficiency or biallelic LEPR deficiency in adults and children 2 years of age and above. In addition to the United States, we have achieved market access or named patient sales for IMCIVREE for BBS or POMC and LEPR deficiencies, or both, in 15 countries outside the United States, and we continue to collaborate with authorities to achieve access in additional markets.
Previous wording
In addition to initial commercial efforts, we are advancing what we believe is the most comprehensive clinical research program ever initiated in MC4R pathway diseases, with multiple ongoing and planned clinical trials. Our MC4R pathway program is designed to expand the total number of patients who would benefit from setmelanotide therapy or our one of our new drug candidates, RM-718, which is designed to be a more selective MC4R agonist with weekly administration, or LB54640, an investigational oral small molecule MC4R agonist now in Phase 2 clinical trials. With setmelanotide, we have completed enrollment in our Phase 3 trial in patients with hypothalamic obesity. Our Phase 3 EMANATE trial, comprised of four independent substudies evaluating setmelanotide in genetically caused MC4R pathway diseases, and our Phase 2 DAYBREAK trial evaluating setmelanotide in additional genetic indications, are ongoing. With RM-718, we anticipate initiating Phase 1 in-human trials in the first half of 2024, including a multiple-ascending dose study in patients with hypothalamic obesity. In our recently completed Phase 3 pediatrics trial in 12 patients between the ages of 2 and younger than 6 with BBS or POMC or LEPR deficiency obesities, setmelanotide achieved the primary endpoint with a 3.04 mean reduction in BMI-Z score (a measure of body mass index deviations from what is considered normal) and 18.4 percent mean reduction in BMI. We are seeking regulatory approval in the United States and Europe to expand the label for IMCIVREE to treat patients as young as 2 with these diseases based on these data.
Current wording
With our efforts in hypothalamic obesity and other potential indications, we are advancing what we believe is the most comprehensive clinical research and development program ever initiated in MC4R pathway diseases, with multiple ongoing and planned clinical trials. Our MC4R pathway program is designed to expand the total number of patients who we believe could benefit from setmelanotide therapy or from one of our new drug candidates. Our Phase 3 EMANATE trial, comprised of four independent substudies evaluating setmelanotide in genetically caused MC4R pathway diseases is ongoing. Following the completion of our Phase 2 DAYBREAK trial, we identified six genetically-defined cohorts that we believe merit further investigation for potential setmelanotide efficacy. We also are evaluating setmelanotide for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) in a 26-week, open-label Phase 2 trial which was initiated at a single site in the United States during the first quarter of 2025.
Previous wording
We are leveraging what we believe is the largest known DNA database focused on obesity - with almost 80,000 sequencing samples as of December 31, 2023 - to improve the understanding, diagnosis and care of people living with severe obesity due to certain variants in genes associated with the MC4R pathway. Our sequencing-based epidemiology estimates show that each of these genetically-defined MC4R pathway deficiencies are considered rare diseases, according to established definitions based on patient populations. Our epidemiology estimates are approximately 4,600 to 7,500 for U.S. patients in initial FDA-approved indications, including obesity due to biallelic POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiencies,
Current wording
We are leveraging what we believe is the largest known DNA database focused on obesity - with approximately 100,000 sequencing samples as of December 31, 2024 - to improve the understanding, diagnosis and care of people living
Previous wording
and BBS. We estimate the epidemiology for patients with hypothalamic obesity to be between 5,000 and 10,000 in the United States, based on our analysis of published literature. Our epidemiology estimates for the indications being studied in our Phase 3 EMANATE trial suggest that approximately 53,000 U.S. patients with one of these genetically driven obesities have the potential to respond well to setmelanotide. Similarly, our epidemiology estimates for patients with genetic indications who demonstrated an initial response in our Phase 2 DAYBREAK trial is approximately 65,300. All these patients face similar challenges as other patients with rare diseases, namely lack of awareness, resources, tests, tools and, especially, therapeutic options. We are developing setmelanotide to address additional patients with acquired hypothalamic obesity. In our Phase 2 trial evaluating setmelanotide as a treatment for hypothalamic obesity, as announced in November 2022, 16 of 18 patients achieved the primary endpoint with a body mass index (BMI) decrease greater than 5 percent on setmelanotide therapy, and we observed a 14.5 mean percent reduction in BMI across all patients. Fourteen of these patients transitioned from this Phase 2 trial into our open-label, long-term extension trial and they remain on therapy, as of November. 3, 2023. Twelve of these 14 patients had achieved a 25.5% reduction in mean BMI from baseline at one year on setmelanotide therapy. On February 22, 2024, we provided an update on progress of our pivotal, Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating setmelanotide in patients with acquired hypothalamic obesity. We completed enrollment in the Phase 3 clinical trial is designed to enroll 120 patients aged 4 years or older randomized 2:1 to setmelanotide therapy or placebo for a total of 60 weeks, including up to eight weeks for dose titration. The primary endpoint is the percent change in BMI after approximately 52 weeks on a therapeutic regimen of setmelanotide versus placebo. Key secondary endpoints include the proportion of patients who achieve ≥5% reduction in BMI from baseline in adults (≥18) or BMI Z-score reduction of ≥0.2 from baseline in pediatrics after approximately 52 weeks on a therapeutic regimen of compared with placebo, and mean change in the weekly average of the daily most hunger score in patients ≥12 years from baseline after approximately 52 weeks on a therapeutic regimen of setmelanotide versus placebo. We expect to report top-line study results in the first half of 2025.
Current wording
We are developing setmelanotide to address additional patients with acquired hypothalamic obesity. In our Phase 2 trial evaluating setmelanotide as a treatment for hypothalamic obesity, as announced in November 2022, 16 of 18 patients achieved the primary endpoint with a body mass index (BMI) decrease greater than 5 percent on setmelanotide therapy, and we observed a 14.5 mean percent reduction in BMI across all patients. As part of our November 2022 presentation, we detailed that fourteen of these patients transitioned from this Phase 2 trial into our open-label, long-term extension trial and they remained on therapy, as of November 3, 2023. Twelve of these 14 patients had achieved a 25.5% reduction in mean BMI from baseline at one year on setmelanotide therapy. On February 22, 2024, we provided an update on progress of our pivotal, Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating setmelanotide in patients with acquired hypothalamic obesity. We completed enrollment in the Phase 3 clinical trial is designed to enroll 120 patients aged 4 years or older randomized 2:1 to setmelanotide therapy or placebo for a total of 60 weeks, including up to eight weeks for dose titration. The primary endpoint is the percent change in BMI after approximately 52 weeks on a therapeutic regimen of setmelanotide versus placebo. Key secondary endpoints include the proportion of patients who achieve ≥5% reduction in BMI from baseline in adults (≥18) or BMI Z-score reduction of ≥0.2 from baseline in pediatrics after approximately 52 weeks on a therapeutic regimen of compared with placebo, and mean change in the weekly average of the daily most hunger score in patients ≥12 years from baseline after approximately 52 weeks on a therapeutic regimen of setmelanotide versus placebo. We expect to report top-line study results in the first half of 2025.
Previous wording
Up until recently, our operations have been limited primarily to conducting research and development activities for setmelanotide. To date, we have not generated sufficient cash flow from product sales and have financed our operations primarily through the proceeds received from the sales of common and preferred stock, royalty interest financing, asset sales, as well as capital contributions from the former parent company, Rhythm Holdings LLC. From August 2015 through August 2017, we raised aggregate net proceeds of $80.8 million through our issuance of series A preferred stock. Since our initial public offering, or IPO, on October 10, 2017 and our underwritten follow-on offerings through October 2022, we have raised aggregate net proceeds of approximately $791.5 million through the issuance of our common stock after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering related transaction costs. We also received $100.0 million from the sale of our Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher, or PRV, to Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in February 2021. In June 2022, we entered into the Revenue Interest Financing Agreement (“RIFA”), with entities managed by HealthCare Royalty Partners, collectively referred to as the Investors, and through December 31, 2023 have received cumulative proceeds of $96.7 million, net of certain transaction costs.
Current wording
To date, we have not generated sufficient cash flow from product sales and have financed our operations primarily through the proceeds received from the sales of common and preferred stock, royalty interest financing, asset sales, as well as capital contributions from the former parent company, Rhythm Holdings LLC. From August 2015 through August 2017, we raised aggregate net proceeds of $80.8 million through our issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock (as defined below). Since our initial public offering, or IPO, on October 10, 2017 and our underwritten follow-on offerings through October 2022, we have raised aggregate net proceeds of approximately $832.7 million through the issuance of our common stock after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering related transaction costs. We also received $100.0 million from the sale of our Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher, or PRV, to Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in February 2021. In June 2022, we entered into the Revenue Interest Financing Agreement (“RIFA”), with entities managed by HealthCare Royalty Partners, collectively referred to as the Investors, and through December 31, 2024 have received cumulative proceeds of $96.7 million, net of certain transaction costs. We also received $147.8 million in net proceeds under the Investment Agreement, with certain affiliates of Perceptive Advisors LLC, or Perceptive, and certain other investors, relating to the issuance and sale of 150,000 shares of a new series of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, titled the “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”, or the Convertible Preferred Stock, for an aggregate purchase price of $150.0 million, or $1,000 per share. As of December 31, 2024, our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were approximately $320.6 million. We expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operations into 2027.
Previous wording
IMCIVREE became commercially available to patients 6 years of age and older with obesity due to POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2021 and patients 6 years of age and older with obesity due to BBS during June 2022. Following marketing authorizations in the EU and Great Britain, we are pursuing a country-by-country strategy to establish market access and reimbursement for IMCIVREE in several countries. During March 2022, we treated the first patients with IMCIVREE in France under the paid early access program and we treated the first patients with IMCIVREE in Germany during June 2022. We expect to continue to fund our operations through the sale of equity, debt financings or other sources. We have built our own marketing and commercial sales infrastructure in the United States and are in the process of building a similar infrastructure in several European markets and the United Kingdom. We may enter into collaborations with other parties for certain markets outside the United States. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements when needed on favorable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital or enter into such other arrangements as, and when, needed, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development or commercialization of setmelanotide.
Current wording
We expect to continue to fund our operations through the sale of equity, debt financings or other sources. We have built our own marketing and commercial sales infrastructure in the United States and are in the process of building a similar infrastructure in several European markets and the United Kingdom. We may enter into collaborations with other parties for certain markets outside the United States. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements when needed on favorable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital or enter into such other arrangements as, and when, needed, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development or commercialization of setmelanotide.
Previous wording
As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $894.7 million. Our net losses were $184.7 million and $181.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We expect to continue to incur
Current wording
As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $1,155.3 million. Our net losses were $260.6 million and $184.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses over the foreseeable future. We expect our expenses will increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, as we:
Previous wording
As of December 31, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were approximately $275.8 million. We expect that our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2023, will enable us to fund our operating expenses into the second half of 2025.
Current wording
As of December 31, 2024, our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were approximately $320.6 million. We expect that our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2024, will enable us to fund our operating expenses into 2027.
Previous wording
To date, we have generated approximately $97.0 million of revenue from product sales. Our lead product candidate, IMCIVREE, was approved by the FDA in November 2020 for chronic weight management in adult and pediatric patients six years of age and older with obesity due to POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency confirmed by genetic testing. IMCIVREE became commercially available in the United States in the first quarter of 2021. We recorded our first sales of IMCIVREE in the United States in March 2021 and we made our first sales in France in March 2022 under the paid early access program. IMCIVREE was approval by the FDA and the EC in adult and pediatric patients six years of age and older with obesity due to BBS in June and September 2022, respectively. Following these approvals for BBS, sales of IMCIVREE have grown, and we expect will continue to grow as we identify and treat more patients with this disease and obtain reimbursement throughout the international markets in which we operate.
Current wording
To date, we have generated approximately $227.6 million of revenue from product sales. Our lead product candidate, IMCIVREE, was approved by the FDA in November 2020 for chronic weight management in adult and pediatric patients six years of age and older with obesity due to POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency confirmed by genetic testing. IMCIVREE became commercially available in the United States in the first quarter of 2021. We recorded our first sales of IMCIVREE in the United States in March 2021 and we made our first sales in France in March 2022 under the paid early access program. IMCIVREE was approval by the FDA and the EC in adult and pediatric patients six years of age and older with obesity due to BBS in June and September 2022, respectively. Following these approvals for BBS, sales of IMCIVREE have grown, and we expect will continue to grow as we identify and treat more patients with this disease and obtain reimbursement throughout the international markets in which we operate.
Previous wording
All of our inventory of IMCIVREE produced prior to FDA approval is available for commercial or clinical use. Most of the manufacturing costs have been recorded as research and development expenses in prior periods. Accordingly, the costs for IMCIVREE included in our cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 were insignificant. Cost of sales increased in 2023 as we sold inventory that was produced after we began capitalizing manufacturing costs for IMCIVREE commercial inventory and experienced increased enrollment in our patient assistance programs.
Current wording
All of our inventory of IMCIVREE produced prior to FDA approval is available for commercial or clinical use. Most of the manufacturing costs have been recorded as research and development expenses in prior periods. We expect cost of sales to increase in 2025 as we continue to sell inventory that is produced after we began capitalizing manufacturing costs for IMCIVREE commercial inventory.
Previous wording
We are unable to predict the duration and costs of the current or future clinical trials of our product candidates. The duration, costs, and timing of clinical trials and development of setmelanotide, RM-718, LB54640, and a potential therapeutic product candidate for CHI will depend on a variety of factors, including:
Current wording
We are unable to predict the duration and costs of the current or future clinical trials of our product candidates. The duration, costs, and timing of clinical trials and development of setmelanotide, RM-718, bivamelagon, and a potential therapeutic product candidate for congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) will depend on a variety of factors, including:
Previous wording
primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. We expect research and development costs to increase significantly for the foreseeable future as our setmelanotide and other development programs progress. However, we do not believe that it is possible at this time to accurately project total program-specific expenses to commercialization and there can be no guarantee that we can meet the funding needs associated with these expenses.
Current wording
Research and development activities are central to our business model. Product candidates in later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. We expect research and development costs to increase significantly for the foreseeable future as our setmelanotide and other development programs progress. However, we do not believe that it is possible at this time to accurately project total program-specific expenses to commercialization and there can be no guarantee that we can meet the funding needs associated with these expenses.
Previous wording
The majority of our service providers invoice us monthly in arrears for services performed or when contractual milestones are met. We make estimates of our accrued expenses or prepaid expenses as of each balance sheet date in our financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to us at the time those financial statements are prepared. We periodically confirm the accuracy of our estimates with the service providers and make adjustments if necessary. The significant estimates in our accrued research and development expenses include fees paid to CROs, CMOs and consultants in connection with research and development activities.
Current wording
As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, we are required to estimate the value associated with goods and services received in the period in connection with research and development activities. This process involves reviewing quotations and contracts, identifying services that have been performed on our behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of the actual cost, or alternatively, the deferral of amounts paid for goods or services to be incurred in the future. The majority of our service providers invoice us monthly in arrears for services performed or when contractual milestones are met. We make estimates of our accrued expenses or prepaid expenses as of each balance sheet date in our financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to us at the time those financial statements are prepared. We periodically confirm the accuracy of our estimates with the service providers and make adjustments if necessary. The significant estimates in our accrued research and development expenses include fees paid to CROs, CMOs and consultants in connection with research and development activities.
Previous wording
We maintain the Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, (the “2017 Plan”) which provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock grants to employees, consultants, advisors and directors, as determined by the board of directors. As of December 31, 2023, we had reserved 12,669,203 shares of common stock under the 2017 Plan. Shares of common stock issued pursuant to awards are generally issued from authorized but unissued shares. The 2017 Plan provides that the exercise price of incentive stock options cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the award for participants who own less than 10% of the total combined voting power of stock, and not less than 110% for participants who own more than 10% of the voting power. Awards granted under the 2017 Plan will vest over periods as determined by our Compensation Committee and approved by our board of directors.
Current wording
We maintain the Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, (the “2017 Plan”) which provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock grants to employees, consultants, advisors and directors, as determined by the board of directors. As of December 31, 2024, we had reserved 12,475,344 shares of common stock under the 2017 Plan. Shares of common stock issued pursuant to awards are generally issued from authorized but unissued shares. The 2017 Plan provides that the exercise price of incentive stock options cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the award for participants who own less than 10% of the total combined voting power of stock, and not less than 110% for participants who own more than 10% of the voting power. Awards granted under the 2017 Plan will vest over periods as determined by our Compensation Committee and approved by our board of directors.
Previous wording
The exercise price of stock options granted under the 2022 Inducement Plan will not be less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date. Other terms of awards, including vesting requirements, are determined by our board of directors and are subject to the provisions of the 2022 Inducement Plan. Stock options granted to employees generally vest over a four-year period but may be granted with different vesting terms. Certain options may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of a change in control. Stock options granted under the 2022 Inducement Plan expire no more than 10 years from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2023, there were 526,177 stock option awards outstanding, 233,719 restricted stock unit awards outstanding and 179,925 shares of common stock available for future grant under the 2022 Inducement Plan.
Current wording
The exercise price of stock options granted under the 2022 Inducement Plan will not be less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date. Other terms of awards, including vesting requirements, are determined by our board of directors and are subject to the provisions of the 2022 Inducement Plan. Stock options granted to employees generally vest over a four-year period but may be granted with different vesting terms. Certain options may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of a change in control. Stock options granted under the 2022 Inducement Plan expire no more than 10 years from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2024, there were 495,978 stock option awards outstanding, 317,554 restricted stock unit awards outstanding and 14,586 shares of common stock available for future grant under the 2022 Inducement Plan.
Previous wording
(b) the expected term of the award, (c) the risk-free interest rate, and (d) expected dividends. Due to the lack of a public market for the trading of our common stock and a lack of company-specific historical and implied volatility data, we previously based our estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of a group of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in a similar stage of development as us and that are publicly traded. For these analyses, we selected companies with comparable characteristics to ours including enterprise value, risk profiles and with historical share price information sufficient to meet the expected life of the stock-based awards. We computed the historical volatility data using the daily closing prices for the selected companies' shares during the equivalent period of the calculated expected term of our stock-based awards. We estimate volatility by using a blend of our stock price history for the length of time we have market data for our stock and the historical volatility of similar public companies for the expected term of each grant. We will continue to apply this process until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of our own stock price becomes available.
Current wording
We estimate the fair value of our stock option awards to employees and non-employees using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions, including (a) the expected volatility of our stock, (b) the expected term of the award, (c) the risk-free interest rate, and (d) expected dividends. Due to the lack of a public market for the trading of our common stock and a lack of company-specific historical and implied volatility data, we previously based our estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of a group of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in a similar stage of development as us and that are publicly traded. For these analyses, we selected companies with comparable characteristics to ours including enterprise value, risk profiles and with historical share price information sufficient to meet the expected life of the stock-based awards. We computed the historical volatility data using the daily closing prices for the selected companies' shares during the equivalent period of the
Previous wording
Product revenue, net increased by $60.5 million to $77.4 million in 2023 from $16.9 million in 2022 an increase of 359%. We expect our sales of IMCIVREE to continue to increase following the FDA approval for the treatment of patients with BBS in the United States in June 2022 and ten other countries since then. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, a substantial amount of our product revenue, or 81% and 89%, respectively, was generated from sales of our product to patients in the United States. Product revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 was affected by a single state Medicaid program change to documentation requirements for reimbursement that resulted in some patients transitioning to the Company’s free-drug bridging program during the fourth quarter of 2023.
Current wording
Product revenue, net increased by $52.7 million to $130.1 million in 2024 from $77.4 million in 2023, an increase of 68%. We expect our sales of IMCIVREE to continue to increase following the FDA approval for the treatment of patients with BBS in the United States in June 2022. We have achieved market access for IMCIVREE for BBS or POMC and LEPR deficiencies, or both, in more than 15 countries outside the United States, and we continue to collaborate with authorities to achieve access in additional markets. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, a substantial amount of our product revenue, or 74% and 77%, respectively, was generated from sales of our product to patients in the United States.
Previous wording
*Cost of sales.*Cost of sales increased by $7.2 million to $9.3 million in 2023 from $2.1 million in 2022, an increase of 336%, which was driven by a similar increase in revenue in 2023. Cost of sales is composed of royalty expense due to Ipsen Pharma S.A.S., or Ipsen, on our net product sales and the amortization of our capitalized sales-based milestone payment made to Ipsen, upon our first commercial sale in the U.S. and EU, the cost of product, as well as costs associated with our patient assistance programs. Specifically, the $7.2 million increase in cost of sales in 2023 was due to $3.0 million of additional royalties due to our growth in sales, $3.7 million attributed to increased product cost associated with higher sales volume and $0.4 million of amortization of our capitalized sales-based milestone payment, which began to accrue in the second half of 2022. We expect cost of sales as a percentage of product revenue, net to continue to be in a range of 10% to 12% in foreseeable future.
Current wording
*Cost of sales.*Cost of sales increased by $4.1 million to $13.4 million in 2024 from $9.3 million in 2023, an increase of 44%, which was driven primarily by the increase in product revenue in 2024. Cost of sales is composed of royalty expense due to Ipsen on our net product sales, amortization of our capitalized sales-based milestone payment made to Ipsen, upon our first commercial sale in the United States and EU, the cost of product, as well as costs associated with our patient assistance programs. Specifically, the $4.1 million increase in cost of sales in 2024 was due to $2.6 million of additional royalties due to our growth in sales and $1.5 milliondue to higher product costs from higher net product revenue. We expect cost of sales as a percentage of product revenue, net to continue to be in a range of 10% to 12% in foreseeable future.
Previous wording
*Research and development expense.*Research and development expense increased by $26.3 million to $135.0 million in 2023 from $108.6 million in 2022, an increase of 24%. The increase was primarily due to the following:
Current wording
*Research and development expense.*Research and development expense increased by $103.0 million to $238.0 million in 2024 from $135.0 million in 2023, an increase of 76%. The increase was primarily due to the following:
Previous wording
*Selling, general and administrative expense.*Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $25.5 million to $117.5 million in 2023 from $92.0 million in 2022, an increase of 28%. The increase was primarily due to the following:
Current wording
*Selling, general and administrative expense.*Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $26.8 million to $144.3 million in 2024 from $117.5 million in 2023, an increase of 23%. The increase was primarily due to the following:
Previous wording
The use of cash in all periods resulted primarily from our net losses, adjusted for non-cash charges and changes in components of working capital.
Current wording
The use of cash in all periods resulted primarily from our net losses, adjusted for non-cash charges and changes in components ofoperating assets and liabilities.
Previous wording
Net cash used in operating activities was $173.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and consisted primarily of a net loss of $156.0 million adjusted for non-cash items, which consisted of stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, non-cash rent expense, the change in the fair value of our embedded derrivative liability, and the impairment of RareStone equity. The change in operating assets and liabilities reflected a total use of cash of approximately $17.4 million primarily driven by an increase of $12.3 million in accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses, other current and a decrease in deferred revenue of $6.6 million. The net cash uses were partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1.5 million due to the timing of payments.
Current wording
Net cash used in operating activities was $113.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and consisted primarily of a net loss of $260.6 million adjusted for non-cash items of $43.8 million, which consisted of stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, non-cash interest expense, non-cash accretion and amortization of short-term investments, non-cash accretion of other current liability, non-cash rent expense, gain on settlement of forward contract, and the change in the fair value of our embedded derivative liability. Our net loss also included $92.4 million of acquired In-Process Research and Development (IPR&D) assets, which are classified as investing activities. The change in operating assets and liabilities provided net cash of approximately $10.6 million, primarily driven by increases to accounts payable and accrued expenses of $21.9 million, net decreases in long-term assets of $7.9 million, offset by net increases in accounts receivable and inventory of $13.8 million and net increases to prepaid expenses of $5.5 million.
Previous wording
Net cash used in operating activities was $136.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and consisted primarily of a net loss of $184.7 million adjusted for non-cash items of $38.0 million, which consisted of stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, non-cash rent expense, accretion and amortization of our short-term investments and the change in the fair value of our embedded derivative liability. Our net loss also includes $5.7 million of acquired In-Process Research and Development (IPR&D) assets, which are classified as investing activities. The change in operating assets and liabilities reflected a total net source of cash of approximately $4.8 million primarily driven by a net increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $14.8 million, decreases in long term assets of $1.7 million and decreases in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $2.7 million. The net cash sources described above were partially offset by net cash uses from increases in accounts receivable and inventory totaling $14.4 million, based on the ongoing growth in the business.
Current wording
Net cash used in operating activities was $136.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and consisted primarily of a net loss of $184.7 million adjusted for non-cash items of $38.0 million, which consisted of stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, non-cash rent expense, accretion and amortization of our short-term investments and the change in the fair value of our embedded derivative liability. Our net loss also included $5.7 million of acquired IPR&D assets, which are classified as investing activities. The change in operating assets and liabilities reflected a total net source of cash of approximately $4.8 million primarily driven by a net increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $14.8 million, decreases in long term assets of $1.7 million and decreases in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $2.7 million. The net cash sources described above were partially offset by net cash uses from increases in accounts receivable and inventory totaling $14.4 million, based on the ongoing growth in the business.
Previous wording
Net cash used in investing activities was $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 which relates primarily tocash used to purchase Xinvento’s IPR&D assets for $5.7 million in February 2023. Our gross purchases of short-term investments of $354.9 million were generally offset by gross proceeds from maturities of short-term investments of $355.0 million.
Current wording
Net cash used in investing activities was $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 which related primarily to cash used to purchase Xinvento’s IPR&D assets in February 2023. Our gross purchases of short-term
Previous wording
Net cash provided by financing activities was $213.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which represents the net proceeds of $131.1 million from our common stock offering in September 2022, $72.3 million of aggregate proceeds, net of issuance costs from the RIFA, and $10.4 million of cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the issuance of common stock from our ESPP.* *
Current wording
Net cash provided by financing activities was $191.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and consisted of net proceeds of $147.8 million from the issuance of Convertible Perferred Stock as well as net proceeds from our ATM equity offering of $39.1 million. We also received proceeds of $17.2 million from the exercise of stock options and the issuance of common stock from our 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the ESPP. These proceeds were offset by $12.9 million of repayments on our deferred royalty obligation.
Previous wording
Net cash provided by financing activities was $74.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is composed of net proceeds of $48.9 million from the issuance of common stock in August 2023, net proceeds of $24.4 million from the final investment tranche of our deferred royalty obligation and $8.5 million of cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the issuance of common stock from our 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the ESPP. These proceeds were partially offset by $7.4 million of repayments of our deferred royalty obligation.
Current wording
Net cash provided by financing activities was $74.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which consisted of net proceeds of $48.9 million from the issuance of common stock in August 2023, net proceeds of $24.4 million from the final investment tranche of our deferred royalty obligation and $8.5 million of cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the issuance of common stock from the ESPP. These proceeds were partially offset by $7.4 million of repayments of our deferred royalty obligation.
Previous wording
On June 16, 2022, we entered into the RIFA with HealthCare Royalty, for a total investment amount of up to $100 million. In exchange for the total investment amount to be received by Rhythm, HealthCare Royalty will receive a tiered royalty based on global net product sales generated by IMCIVREE. For additional information, see Note 11, “Long-term Obligations” to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Current wording
On June 16, 2022, we entered into the RIFA with HealthCare Royalty, for a total investment amount of up to $100 million. In exchange for the total investment amount to be received by us, HealthCare Royalty will receive a tiered royalty based on global net product sales generated by IMCIVREE. For additional information, see Note 11, “Long-term Obligations” to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Previous wording
We expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operations into the second half of 2025. Our cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions in amounts that exceed federally-insured limits. In the event of failure of any of the financial institutions where we maintain our cash and cash equivalents, there can be no assurance that we will be able to access uninsured funds in a timely manner or at all.
Current wording
We expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operations into 2027. Our cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions in amounts that exceed federally-insured limits. In the event of failure of any of the financial institutions where we maintain our cash and cash equivalents, there can be no assurance that we will be able to access uninsured funds in a timely manner or at all.
Previous wording
shares of its common stock at the price to the public, less underwriting discounts and commissions. On October 18, 2022, we completed the sale of an additional 580,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $26.00 per share pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $14,175, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses.
Current wording
On September 19, 2022, we completed a public offering of 4,800,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $26.00 per share. We received $116,887 in net proceeds after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses. In addition, we granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 720,000 shares of its common stock at the price to the public, less underwriting discounts and commissions. On October 18, 2022, we completed the sale of an additional 580,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $26.00 per share pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $14,175, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses.
Previous wording
Milestone and royalty payments associated with our license agreements with Ipsen, Camurus, Takeda, and LG Chem, have not been included as contractual obligations as we cannot reasonably estimate if or when they will occur. Under the terms of the Ipsen license agreement, assuming that setmelanotide is successfully developed, receives regulatory approval and is commercialized, Ipsen may receive aggregate payments of up to $40.0 million upon the achievement of certain development and commercial milestones under the license agreement and royalties on future product sales and at December 31, 2023 there were $27.0 million of remaining milestones that may be achieved and due to Ipsen at a future date. During 2022, we paid Ipsen a $4.0 million milestone upon our first commercial sale of IMCIVREE in Europe. We did not make additional milestone payments to Ipsen during 2023. In the event that we enter into a sublicense agreement, we will make payments to Ipsen, depending on the date of the sublicense agreement, ranging from 10% to 20% of all revenues actually received under the sublicense agreement.
Current wording
Milestone and royalty payments associated with our license agreements with Ipsen, Camurus, and LG Chem, have not been included as contractual obligations as we cannot reasonably estimate if or when they will occur. Under the terms of the Ipsen license agreement, assuming that setmelanotide is successfully developed, receives regulatory approval and is commercialized, Ipsen may receive aggregate payments of up to $40.0 million upon the achievement of certain development and commercial milestones under the license agreement and royalties on future product sales and at December 31, 2024 there were $27.0 million of remaining milestones that may be achieved and due to Ipsen at a future date. During 2022, we paid Ipsen a $4.0 million milestone upon our first commercial sale of IMCIVREE in Europe. We did not make additional milestone payments to Ipsen during 2023 or 2024. In the event that we enter into a sublicense agreement, we will make payments to Ipsen, depending on the date of the sublicense agreement, ranging from 10% to 20% of all revenues actually received under the sublicense agreement.
Previous wording
Under the terms of the Camurus license agreement, assuming that the weekly formulation of setmelanotide is successfully developed, receives regulatory approval and is commercialized, Camurus may receive aggregate payments of up to $64.8 million upon the achievement of certain development and commercial milestones under the license agreement and royalties on future product sales. As of December 31, 2023, there were $62.5 million of remaining milestones that may be achieved and for which Camurus would receive payment at a future date. We paid Camurus a $1.0 million milestone in 2022 upon the achievement of a development milestone. We did not make any milestone payments to Camurus during 2023. The majority of the aggregate payments under the Camurus license agreement are for milestones that may be achieved no earlier than first commercial sale of this weekly formulation of setmelanotide.
Current wording
Under the terms of the Camurus license agreement, assuming that the weekly formulation of setmelanotide is successfully developed, receives regulatory approval and is commercialized, Camurus may receive aggregate payments of up to $64.8 million upon the achievement of certain development and commercial milestones under the license agreement and royalties on future product sales. As of December 31, 2024, there were $62.5 million of remaining milestones that may be achieved and for which Camurus would receive payment at a future date. We paid Camurus a $1.0 million milestone in 2022 upon the achievement of a development milestone. We did not make any milestone payments to Camurus during 2023 or 2024. The majority of the aggregate payments under the Camurus license agreement are for milestones that may be achieved no earlier than first commercial sale of this weekly formulation of setmelanotide.
Previous wording
Under the terms of the LG Chem license agreement, we have paid LG Chem $40 million in cash and issued shares of our common stock with an aggregate value of $20 million. We have also agreed to pay LG Chem up to $205 million in cash upon achieving various regulatory and sales milestones based on net sales of LB54640. In addition and subject to the completion of Phase 2 development of LB54640, the Company has agreed to pay LGC royalties of between low-to-mid single digit percent of net revenues from its MC4R portfolio, including LB54640, commencing in 2029 and dependent upon achievement of various regulatory and indication approvals, and subject to customary deductions and anti-stacking. Royalties may further increase to a low double digit percent royalty, though such royalty would only be applicable on net sales of LB54640 in a region if LB54640 is covered by a composition of matter or method of use patent controlled by LGC in such region and the Company’s MC4R portfolio is not covered by any composition of matter or method of use patents controlled by the Company in such region. Such increased rate would only apply on net sales of LB54640 for the limited remainder of the royalty term in the relevant region. We entered into this agreement in 2024 and have not yet made any milestone payments.
Current wording
Under the terms of the LG Chem license agreement, we have paid LG Chem $40 million in cash, issued shares of our common stock with an aggregate value of $20 million and agreed to make a $40 million payment in cash 18 months after the effective date of the license agreement. We have also agreed to pay LG Chem up to $205 million in cash upon achieving various regulatory and sales milestones based on net sales ofbivamelagon. In addition and subject to the completion of Phase 2 development ofbivamelagon, the Company has agreed to pay LGC royalties of between low-to-mid single digit percent of net revenues from its MC4R portfolio, including bivamelagon, commencing in 2029 and dependent upon achievement of various regulatory and indication approvals, and subject to customary deductions and anti-stacking. Royalties may further increase to a low double digit percent royalty, though such royalty would only be applicable on net sales ofbivamelagon in a region ifbivamelagon is covered by a composition of matter or method of use patent controlled by LGC in such region and the Company’s MC4R portfolio is not covered by any composition of matter or method of use patents controlled by the Company in such region. Such increased rate would only apply on net sales ofbivamelagon for the limited remainder of the royalty term in the relevant region. We entered into this agreement in 2024 and have not yet made any milestone payments.
Previous wording
Based on our current development plans as of December 31, 2023, we do not expect to make any milestone payments to third parties, during the next 12 months from the filing of this Annual Report. Milestones generally become due and payable upon achievement of such milestones or sales. When the achievement of these milestones or
Current wording
Based on our current development plans as of December 31, 2024, we expect to make milestone payments to third parties, during the next 12 months from the filing of this Annual Report. These milestones include a $40.0 million payment to LG Chem in July of 2025 (which is the second and final license fee installment, payable to LGC within eighteen (18) months of the effective date of the LG Chem license agrreement) and a $2.0 million payment to the sellers of Xinvento upon the commencement of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicity trials (currently expected to begin in 2025. Milestones generally become due and payable upon achievement of such milestones or sales. When the achievement of these milestones or sales have not occurred, such contingencies are not recorded in our financial statements and are excluded from the table below.
Rearranged current paragraphs (6)
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
We are a global, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients living with rare neuroendocrine diseases. We are focused on advancing our melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonists, including our lead asset, IMCIVREE® (setmelanotide), as precision medicines designed to treat hyperphagia and severe obesity caused by MC4R pathway diseases. While obesity affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, we are advancing therapies for a subset of individuals who have hyperphagia, a pathological, insatiable hunger and impaired satiety accompanied by persistent and abnormal food-seeking behaviors, decreased energy expenditure and severe obesity due to diseases such as acquired or congenital hypothalamic obesity, Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) or other diseases caused by impaired MC4R pathway signaling. The MC4R pathway is a neuro-endocrine pathway in the brain that is responsible for regulating hunger, caloric intake and energy expenditure, which consequently affect body weight. IMCIVREE, an MC4R agonist for which we hold worldwide rights, is the first-ever therapy developed for patients with certain rare diseases that is approved or authorized in the United States, European Union (EU), United Kingdom, Canada and several other countries and regions.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
with severe obesity due to certain variants in genes associated with the MC4R pathway. Our sequencing-based epidemiology estimates show that each of these genetically-defined MC4R pathway deficiencies are considered rare diseases, according to established definitions based on patient populations. Our epidemiology estimates are approximately 4,600 to 7,500 for U.S. patients in initial FDA-approved indications, including obesity due to BBS and biallelic POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiencies. Our epidemiology estimates for the two more prevalent indications being studied in our Phase 3 EMANATE trial (SH2B1 and POMC/PCSK1) suggest that approximately 29,000 U.S. patients with one of these genetically driven obesities have the potential to respond well to setmelanotide. Similarly, our epidemiology estimates for patients with genetic indications who demonstrated an initial response following stage 1 of our Phase 2 DAYBREAK trial is approximately 65,300. All these patients face similar challenges as other patients with rare diseases, namely lack of awareness, resources, tests, tools and, especially, therapeutic options.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
calculated expected term of our stock-based awards. We estimate volatility by using a blend of our stock price history for the length of time we have market data for our stock and the historical volatility of similar public companies for the expected term of each grant. We will continue to apply this process until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of our own stock price becomes available.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
The above increases were partially offset by:
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
Net cash used in investing activities
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
investments of $354.9 million were generally offset by gross proceeds from maturities of short-term investments of $355.0 million.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (7)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
below and elsewhere in this report, including those set forth under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Annual Report.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
significant expenses and increasing operating losses over the foreseeable future. We expect our expenses will increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, as we:
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Research and development activities are central to our business model. Product candidates in later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development,
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, we are required to estimate the value associated with goods and services received in the period in connection with research and development activities. This process involves reviewing quotations and contracts, identifying services that have been performed on our behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of the actual cost, or alternatively, the deferral of amounts paid for goods or services to be incurred in the future.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
We estimate the fair value of our stock option awards to employees and non-employees using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions, including (a) the expected volatility of our stock,
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
On September 19, 2022, we completed a public offering of 4,800,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $26.00 per share. We received $116,887 in net proceeds after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses. In addition, we granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 720,000
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
sales have not occurred, such contingencies are not recorded in our financial statements and are excluded from the table below.