Setmelanotide

Setmelanotide is the first available treatment for patients with pro-opiomelanocortin, proprotein subilisin/kexin type 1, or leptin deficiencies. It is an agonist of the melanocortin 4 receptor. Earlier attempts at agonizing MC4R (such as LY2112688) lead to successful weight loss, but also an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Other earlier treatments for these patients included gastric bypass surgery. Patients taking setmelanotide experienced an average weight loss of 0.6 kg/week.

Imcivree was granted EMA orphan designation on November 19, 2018 and FDA approval on November 25, 2020. On May 4, 2023, it was approved by Health Canada.

Setmelanotide is indicated for chronic weight management in patients 6 years and older with obesity due to pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) deficiency, proprotein subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) deficiency, or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency as determined by an approved test demonstrating variants in POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR genes that are interpreted as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or of uncertain significance. These conditions affect the MC4R signalling pathway.

Setmelanotide is also indicated for chronic weight management in patients 6 years and older with obesity due to Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

The drug is not reported to be effective in patients with POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR variants classified as benign or likely benign, as well as other types of obesity not listed above.