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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 3INTERVENTIONAL

A Trial of Setmelanotide in Patients With Congenital Hypothalamic Obesity (Sub-study of NCT05774756)

A Phase 3, Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Setmelanotide in Patients With Acquired Hypothalamic Obesity

A Trial of Setmelanotide in Patients With Congenital Hypothalamic Obesity (Sub-study of NCT05774756) (NCT06760546) is a Phase 3 interventional studying Hypothalamic Obesity and Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency Genetic Form, sponsored by Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

This is a sub-study of Study RM-493-040 (NCT05774756). The goal of this sub-study is to learn how well Setmelanotide works to improve weight reduction, hunger, and quality of life in patients 4 years of age and older with congenital Hypothalamic Obesity (cHO). To determine how well setmelanotide works and how safe it is, patients with cHO will take a daily injection of either setmelanotide or placebo and complete trial assessments for up to 26 weeks on a therapeutic regimen.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 3 trials confirm efficacy and safety in large patient groups (often 300–3,000+) and form the evidence base for an FDA approval submission. For Hypothalamic Obesity, Phase 3 studies typically randomize participants between the investigational treatment and either a placebo or current standard of care. A successful Phase 3 result is the threshold most treatments need to clear before regulatory approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 39 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Key Who May Qualify: 1. Diagnosis of multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD), or septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), or optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), or Childhood-onset combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD), or Pituitary Stalk Interruption Syndrome (PSIS) with at least one pituitary deficiency AND a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 for patients ≥18 years of age, or BMI ≥95th percentile for age and sex for patients 4 to \<18 years 2. Age 4 years and older 3. Weight gain associated with the hypothalamic injury and a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2 for patients ≥18 years of age or BMI ≥95th percentile for age and sex for patients 4 to \<18 years of age 4. Agree to use a highly effective form of contraception throughout the study and for 90 days after the study Key Who Should NOT Join This Trial: 1. Diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) or Rapid-onset obesity with hypoventilation, hypothalamic, autonomic dysregulation, neuroendocrine tumor syndrome (ROHHADNET) 2. Weight loss \>2% in the previous 3 months for patients aged ≥18 years or \>2% reduction in BMI for patients aged 4 to \<18 years 3. Bariatric surgery or procedure within last 2 years 4. Diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorders; any suicidal ideation, attempt or behavior 5. Current, clinically significant pulmonary, cardiac, metabolic, or oncologic disease 6. Significant dermatologic findings relating to melanoma or pre-melanoma skin lesions (excluding non-invasive basal or squamous cell lesion) 7. History or close family history of skin cancer or melanoma 8. Participation in any clinical trial with an investigational drug/device within 3 months prior to the first trial dose 9. Previously enrolled in a clinical trial involving setmelanotide or any previous exposure to setmelanotide 10. Inability to comply with once daily (QD) injection regimen 11. If female, pregnant and/or breastfeeding. 12. If receiving hormone replacement therapy, dose has remained stable for at least 2 months before Screening ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Key Inclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD), or septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), or optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), or Childhood-onset combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD), or Pituitary Stalk Interruption Syndrome (PSIS) with at least one pituitary deficiency AND a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 for patients ≥18 years of age, or BMI ≥95th percentile for age and sex for patients 4 to \<18 years 2. Age 4 years and older 3. Weight gain associated with the hypothalamic injury and a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2 for patients ≥18 years of age or BMI ≥95th percentile for age and sex for patients 4 to \<18 years of age 4. Agree to use a highly effective form of contraception throughout the study and for 90 days after the study Key Exclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) or Rapid-onset obesity with hypoventilation, hypothalamic, autonomic dysregulation, neuroendocrine tumor syndrome (ROHHADNET) 2. Weight loss \>2% in the previous 3 months for patients aged ≥18 years or \>2% reduction in BMI for patients aged 4 to \<18 years 3. Bariatric surgery or procedure within last 2 years 4. Diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorders; any suicidal ideation, attempt or behavior 5. Current, clinically significant pulmonary, cardiac, metabolic, or oncologic disease 6. Significant dermatologic findings relating to melanoma or pre-melanoma skin lesions (excluding non-invasive basal or squamous cell lesion) 7. History or close family history of skin cancer or melanoma 8. Participation in any clinical trial with an investigational drug/device within 3 months prior to the first trial dose 9. Previously enrolled in a clinical trial involving setmelanotide or any previous exposure to setmelanotide 10. Inability to comply with once daily (QD) injection regimen 11. If female, pregnant and/or breastfeeding. 12. If receiving hormone replacement therapy, dose has remained stable for at least 2 months before Screening Other protocol defined Inclusion/Exclusion criteria may apply.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Setmelanotide

Solution for daily subcutaneous injection

DRUG

Placebo

Placebo matched to setmelanotide for daily subcutaneous injection

Locations (11)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

University of Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Lurie Children's Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Children's Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, New York, United States
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seattle Children's Research Institute
Seattle, Washington, United States
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Birmingham Women and Children's Hospital NHS Trust
Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Hull Royal Infirmary
Hull, United Kingdom

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06760546), the sponsor (Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06760546 clinical trial studying?

This is a sub-study of Study RM-493-040 (NCT05774756). The goal of this sub-study is to learn how well Setmelanotide works to improve weight reduction, hunger, and quality of life in patients 4 years of age and older with congenital Hypothalamic Obesity (cHO). To determine how well setmelanotide works and how safe it is, patients with cHO will take a daily injection of either setmelanotide or placebo and complete trial assessments for up to 26 weeks on a therapeutic regimen. The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06760546?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06760546?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06760546. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06760546. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-26 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.