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Phase 2 Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of RM-493 in Obese Participants

A Phase 2, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of RM-493, a Melanocortin 4 Receptor (MC4R) Agonist in Obese Patients

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01749137
Enrollment
74
Registered
2012-12-13
Start date
2013-01-14
Completion date
2013-09-28
Last updated
2023-08-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Overweight

Keywords

Overweight

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of RM-493 on mean percent body weight loss, and other weight loss parameters as well as Pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, and ambulatory blood pressure in obese participants. The study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a single dose of RM-493. The study drug (RM-493 and placebo) will be administered subcutaneously in a blinded fashion.

Interventions

DRUGSetmelanotide

Daily subcutaneous infusion

DRUGPlacebo

Daily subcutaneous infusion

Sponsors

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Be between the age of 18 and 65. 2. Able to provide voluntary, written informed consent with comprehension of all aspects of the protocol, prior to any study procedures. 3. In good general health, without significant medical history, physical examination findings, or clinical laboratory abnormalities. 4. Body Mass Index: 35-50 Kg/m\^2, inclusive. It is planned that approximately 20 (but no more than 50% of the total participants enrolled) of these participants will have a BMI ≥ 40 Kg/m\^2 5. Stable body weight (+/- 5 Kg) during previous 6 months. 6. Blood pressure (\<150/95 mmHg); may include stable dose (≥ 30 days of use) of up to two anti-hypertensive medications to achieve control that are intended to remain on a stable dose during the protocol. 7. Willingness and demonstrates ability to self-administer study medication subcutaneously via an infusion pump during the placebo practice period. 8. Willing to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regime throughout study as recommended by counseling at study start. 9. Females of childbearing potential must agree to be abstinent or else use any two of the following medically acceptable forms of contraception from the Screening Period through the completion of study treatment: hormonal, condom with spermicidal jelly, diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicidal jelly, or intrauterine device (IUD). Hormonal contraception must have started at least 3 months prior to screening. A female whose male partner has had a vasectomy must agree to use one additional form of medically acceptable contraception. Participants must agree to practice the above birth control methods for 30 days after completion of study treatment as a safety precaution. 10. Females of non-childbearing potential, defined as surgically sterile (status post hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or bilateral tubal ligation) or post-menopausal for at least 12 months (and confirmed with a screening follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level in the post-menopausal range), do not require contraception during the study. 11. Males with female partners of childbearing potential must agree to use two medically acceptable forms of contraception as described above, with one of the two forms being condom with spermicide, from the Screening Period through 90 days after completion of study treatment. Males with female partners of childbearing potential who themselves are surgically sterile (status post vasectomy) must agree to use condoms with spermicide over the same period of time.

Exclusion criteria

1. Fasting blood glucose \> than 140 mg/dL. 2. Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥6.5%. 3. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level outside the normal range. 4. Creatinine \> 1.5 times the upper limit of normal. 5. Liver function tests \> 2 times the upper limit of normal. 6. Active or history of any significant medical condition including renal, hepatic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, genitourinary, endocrine, immunologic, metabolic, neurologic or hematological disease. 7. Participants with a history of the following: 1. Uncontrolled hypertension; 2. Diabetes requiring medical treatment, presently or in the past; 3. Major depressive disorder within the last 2 years; 4. Any lifetime history of a suicide attempt; 5. Any suicidal behavior in the last month; 6. Other severe psychiatric disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe eating disorders including bulimia). 8. A patient health questionnaire - 9 (PHQ-9) score of ≥15. 9. Any suicidal ideation of type 4 or 5 on the columbia suicide severity rating scale (C-SSRS). 10. Prior bariatric surgery. 11. Treated with anorectic agents or drugs with anorexia as a frequent side event. 12. Taking 3 or more anti-hypertensive medications. 13. Acute illness or history of illness, which in the opinion of the Investigator, could pose a threat or harm to the participant or obscure interpretation of laboratory test results or interpretation of study data. 14. History of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. 15. History of significant drug hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis. 16. History of hypersensitivity to proteins (e.g., allergy shots). 17. Any clinically significant abnormalities on screening laboratories as determined by the Investigator. 18. Abnormal 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) at screening or pre-dose (Day 1), except minor deviations deemed to be of no clinical significance by the Investigator. QTc must be \< 450 ms. 19. Received any experimental drugs or devices or have participated in a clinical study within 30 days prior to dosing. 20. Hospitalization for surgery within the 3 months prior to screening except for minor outpatient procedures, or any planned hospitalizations during the study period. 21. Poor venous access or inability to tolerate venipuncture. 22. Inability to attend all study visits or comply with protocol requirements including fasting and restrictions on concomitant medication intake. 23. Participation in weight loss programs during the study period, including nutritional supplements/ replacements other than as recommended by nutritional counseling provided at study start. 24. Use of prescription medications on a regular basis with the following exceptions: 1. Contraceptives (must be on for ≥3 months); 2. Hormone replacement therapy (must be on stable dose for ≥3 months); 3. Antihypertensives (\<3 medications on a stable dose for ≥ 30 days); 4. Statins (dose must be ≤ half the maximum dose; must be on a stable dose ≥3 months); 5. Fibrates (must be on stable dose for ≥3 months); 6. Niacin (must be on stable dose for ≥3 months); 7. Thyroxin (stable dose for ≥ 30 days); 8. The last use of any other prescription medication must have been greater than 5 half-lives for the specific medication or at least 14 days prior to randomization, whichever is longer. 25. Women who are pregnant or are breast feeding. 26. Previously randomized and dosed in this study or previously exposed to RM-493. 27. History of alcohol or drug abuse within 5 years of Screening Visit. 28. Any other reason, which in the opinion of the Investigator would confound proper evaluation of the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percent Change From Baseline in Body WeightBaseline and Day 90The mean percent change from baseline in body weight at Day 90 was analyzed.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants Who Lost ≥ 5% of Their Baseline Body WeightBaseline up to Day 90The percentage of participants who lost ≥ 5% of their baseline body weight was analyzed. 95% confidence interval is calculated based on Clopper-Pearson.
Number of Participants Who Consistently Achieved Targeted Plasma Concentration of ~6 Nanogram Per Milliliter (ng/mL)Day 1: pre-dose and 2-hours post-infusion, Day 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90Number of Participants Who Consistently Achieved Targeted Plasma Concentration of \ 6 ng/mL were reported.
Percentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse EventsFrom first dose of study drug (Day 1) until end of study (Up to 184 days)An adverse event (AE) was any untoward medical occurrence associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not considered drug related. An adverse event (also referred to as an adverse experience) could be any unfavorable and unintended sign (e.g., an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a drug, without any judgment about causality. A treatment-emergent AE was defined as an AE with an onset date on or after day 1.
Change From Baseline in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Parameter (ABPM) - Systolic Blood PressureBaseline and Day 28Summary of individual average data at daytime, nighttime and 24 hours was reported.
Change From Baseline in ABPM - Diastolic Blood PressureBaseline and Day 28Summary of individual average data at daytime, nighttime and 24 hours was reported.
Change From Baseline in Body WeightBaseline and Day 90The mean change from baseline in body weight at day 90 was analyzed.
Change From Baseline in ABPM - Heart RateBaseline and Day 28Summary of individual average data at daytime, nighttime and 24 hours was reported.
Change From Baseline in ABPM - Pulse PressureBaseline and Day 28Summary of individual average data at daytime, nighttime and 24 hours was reported.
Percent Change From Baseline in Body Weight in Severely Obese ParticipantsBaseline and Day 90The mean percent change from baseline in body weight in severely obese participants at Day 90 was analyzed.
Percentage of Participants Who Lost ≥ 5% of Their Baseline Body Weight in Severely Obese ParticipantsBaseline up to Day 90The percentage of participants who lost ≥ 5% of their baseline body weight loss in severely obese participants was analyzed. 95% confidence interval is calculated based on Clopper-Pearson confidence interval.
Change From Baseline in ABPM - Mean Arterial Blood PressureBaseline and Day 28Summary of individual average data at daytime, nighttime and 24 hours was reported.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Setmelanotide
Participants received 1 mg setmelanotide every day by continuous subcutaneous infusion using the Omnipod insulin pump for a duration of 90 days.
37
Placebo
Participants received placebo matching setmelanotide every day by continuous subcutaneous infusion using the Omnipod insulin pump for a duration of 90 days.
37
Total74

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event44
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up23
Overall StudyPhysician Decision10
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject84

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSetmelanotidePlaceboTotal
Age, Continuous42.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.77
40.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.72
41.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.74
Body Weight113.65 Kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.074
111.20 Kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.031
112.43 Kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.362
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
3 Participants3 Participants6 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
34 Participants33 Participants67 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
15 Participants16 Participants31 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
21 Participants21 Participants42 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
31 Participants35 Participants66 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
6 Participants2 Participants8 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 370 / 37
other
Total, other adverse events
28 / 3718 / 37
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 371 / 37

Outcome results

Primary

Percent Change From Baseline in Body Weight

The mean percent change from baseline in body weight at Day 90 was analyzed.

Time frame: Baseline and Day 90

Population: FAS population with available data at specified time point.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SetmelanotidePercent Change From Baseline in Body Weight-2.0 Percent changeStandard Deviation 2.82
PlaceboPercent Change From Baseline in Body Weight-0.3 Percent changeStandard Deviation 2.96
p-value: 0.05995% CI: [-2.27, 0.04]Mixed Model Repeated Measures (MMRM)
Secondary

Change From Baseline in ABPM - Diastolic Blood Pressure

Summary of individual average data at daytime, nighttime and 24 hours was reported.

Time frame: Baseline and Day 28

Population: ABPM Completers

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Diastolic Blood PressureDaytime individual average-1.62 mmHgStandard Deviation 9.672
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Diastolic Blood PressureNight time individual average-0.96 mmHgStandard Deviation 9.586
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Diastolic Blood Pressure24 hr individual average-1.38 mmHgStandard Deviation 9.261
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Diastolic Blood PressureDaytime individual average1.39 mmHgStandard Deviation 5.591
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Diastolic Blood PressureNight time individual average0.60 mmHgStandard Deviation 5.184
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Diastolic Blood Pressure24 hr individual average1.09 mmHgStandard Deviation 4.977
Secondary

Change From Baseline in ABPM - Heart Rate

Summary of individual average data at daytime, nighttime and 24 hours was reported.

Time frame: Baseline and Day 28

Population: ABPM Completers.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Heart RateDaytime individual average1.44 Beats per minute (BPM)Standard Deviation 6.861
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Heart RateNight time individual average-0.28 Beats per minute (BPM)Standard Deviation 8.293
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Heart Rate24 hr individual average0.70 Beats per minute (BPM)Standard Deviation 6.703
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Heart RateDaytime individual average-1.90 Beats per minute (BPM)Standard Deviation 8.702
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Heart RateNight time individual average0.05 Beats per minute (BPM)Standard Deviation 10.42
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Heart Rate24 hr individual average-1.07 Beats per minute (BPM)Standard Deviation 8.242
Secondary

Change From Baseline in ABPM - Mean Arterial Blood Pressure

Summary of individual average data at daytime, nighttime and 24 hours was reported.

Time frame: Baseline and Day 28

Population: ABPM Completers.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Mean Arterial Blood PressureNight time individual average-2.15 mmHgStandard Deviation 10.589
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Mean Arterial Blood Pressure24 hr individual average-1.65 mmHgStandard Deviation 10.205
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Mean Arterial Blood PressureDaytime individual average-1.27 mmHgStandard Deviation 10.886
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Mean Arterial Blood PressureNight time individual average0.86 mmHgStandard Deviation 6.536
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Mean Arterial Blood Pressure24 hr individual average1.38 mmHgStandard Deviation 7.018
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Mean Arterial Blood PressureDaytime individual average1.70 mmHgStandard Deviation 8.056
Secondary

Change From Baseline in ABPM - Pulse Pressure

Summary of individual average data at daytime, nighttime and 24 hours was reported.

Time frame: Baseline and Day 28

Population: ABPM Completers.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Pulse Pressure24 hr individual average-1.41 mmHgStandard Deviation 5.655
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Pulse PressureDaytime individual average-0.83 mmHgStandard Deviation 6.32
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in ABPM - Pulse PressureNight time individual average-2.30 mmHgStandard Deviation 6.038
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Pulse Pressure24 hr individual average0.52 mmHgStandard Deviation 7.366
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Pulse PressureDaytime individual average0.44 mmHgStandard Deviation 8.06
PlaceboChange From Baseline in ABPM - Pulse PressureNight time individual average0.65 mmHgStandard Deviation 6.82
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Parameter (ABPM) - Systolic Blood Pressure

Summary of individual average data at daytime, nighttime and 24 hours was reported.

Time frame: Baseline and Day 28

Population: ABPM Completers population as participants who had both baseline and post-baseline assessment of ABPM parameters

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Parameter (ABPM) - Systolic Blood PressureDaytime individual average-2.45 millimeter of mercury (mmHg)Standard Deviation 14.071
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Parameter (ABPM) - Systolic Blood PressureNight time individual average-3.26 millimeter of mercury (mmHg)Standard Deviation 13.31
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Parameter (ABPM) - Systolic Blood Pressure24 hour (hr) individual average-2.79 millimeter of mercury (mmHg)Standard Deviation 13.174
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Parameter (ABPM) - Systolic Blood PressureDaytime individual average1.83 millimeter of mercury (mmHg)Standard Deviation 12.2
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Parameter (ABPM) - Systolic Blood PressureNight time individual average1.24 millimeter of mercury (mmHg)Standard Deviation 10.721
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Parameter (ABPM) - Systolic Blood Pressure24 hour (hr) individual average1.61 millimeter of mercury (mmHg)Standard Deviation 11.165
Secondary

Change From Baseline in Body Weight

The mean change from baseline in body weight at day 90 was analyzed.

Time frame: Baseline and Day 90

Population: FAS population with available data specified time point.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SetmelanotideChange From Baseline in Body Weight-2.2 KilogramsStandard Deviation 3.39
PlaceboChange From Baseline in Body Weight-0.3 KilogramsStandard Deviation 3.34
p-value: 0.07995% CI: [-2.48, 0.14]MMRM
Secondary

Number of Participants Who Consistently Achieved Targeted Plasma Concentration of ~6 Nanogram Per Milliliter (ng/mL)

Number of Participants Who Consistently Achieved Targeted Plasma Concentration of \ 6 ng/mL were reported.

Time frame: Day 1: pre-dose and 2-hours post-infusion, Day 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90

Population: The pharmacokinetic population included all participants who received any of the study drug infusion and have at least one post-dose safety assessment and who had evaluable plasma concentrations for RM-493.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
SetmelanotideNumber of Participants Who Consistently Achieved Targeted Plasma Concentration of ~6 Nanogram Per Milliliter (ng/mL)8 Participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants Who Lost ≥ 5% of Their Baseline Body Weight

The percentage of participants who lost ≥ 5% of their baseline body weight was analyzed. 95% confidence interval is calculated based on Clopper-Pearson.

Time frame: Baseline up to Day 90

Population: FAS population with available data at specified time point.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
SetmelanotidePercentage of Participants Who Lost ≥ 5% of Their Baseline Body Weight9.1 percentage of participants
PlaceboPercentage of Participants Who Lost ≥ 5% of Their Baseline Body Weight5.6 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.513Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
Secondary

Percentage of Participants Who Lost ≥ 5% of Their Baseline Body Weight in Severely Obese Participants

The percentage of participants who lost ≥ 5% of their baseline body weight loss in severely obese participants was analyzed. 95% confidence interval is calculated based on Clopper-Pearson confidence interval.

Time frame: Baseline up to Day 90

Population: FAS population with available data at specified time point.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
SetmelanotidePercentage of Participants Who Lost ≥ 5% of Their Baseline Body Weight in Severely Obese Participants11.8 percentage of participants
PlaceboPercentage of Participants Who Lost ≥ 5% of Their Baseline Body Weight in Severely Obese Participants11.8 percentage of participants
p-value: 1Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events

An adverse event (AE) was any untoward medical occurrence associated with the use of a drug in humans, whether or not considered drug related. An adverse event (also referred to as an adverse experience) could be any unfavorable and unintended sign (e.g., an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a drug, without any judgment about causality. A treatment-emergent AE was defined as an AE with an onset date on or after day 1.

Time frame: From first dose of study drug (Day 1) until end of study (Up to 184 days)

Population: The Safety Analysis Set consisted of all participants who received any of the study drug infusion and had at least one post-dose safety assessment.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
SetmelanotidePercentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events75.7 percentage of participants
PlaceboPercentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events48.7 percentage of participants
Secondary

Percent Change From Baseline in Body Weight in Severely Obese Participants

The mean percent change from baseline in body weight in severely obese participants at Day 90 was analyzed.

Time frame: Baseline and Day 90

Population: FAS population with available data at specified time point.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
SetmelanotidePercent Change From Baseline in Body Weight in Severely Obese Participants-2.3 Percent changeStandard Deviation 3.34
PlaceboPercent Change From Baseline in Body Weight in Severely Obese Participants-0.7 Percent changeStandard Deviation 3.08
p-value: 0.38795% CI: [-2.5, 0.98]MMRM

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026