RHYTHM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 10-Q

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition to historical information, some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including without limitation statements regarding: our financial performance, including our expectations regarding our existing cash, operating losses, expenses and sources of future financing; our ability to hire and retain necessary personnel; patient enrollments and the timing thereof; the timing of announcements regarding results of clinical trials; our ability to protect our intellectual property; ongoing activities under and our ability to negotiate our collaboration and license agreements, if needed; our marketing, commercial sales, and revenue generation; expectations surrounding our manufacturing arrangements; the impact of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic on our business and operations and our future financial results; and other statements identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “likely,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees of future performance, and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and other important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. We discuss factors that we believe could cause or contribute to these differences below and elsewhere in this report, including but not limited to those set forth in Part II, Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as may be required by law, we have no plans to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q . We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made . Overview We are a global, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the lives of patients and their families living with hyperphagia and severe obesity caused by rare melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) pathway diseases. Rhythm’s precision medicine, IMCIVREE ® (or setmelanotide), for which we have exclusive worldwide rights, has the potential to restore dysfunctional MC4R pathway signaling and MC4R pathway function. MC4R pathway deficiencies result in the disruption of satiety signals and energy homeostasis in the body, which, in turn, leads to intense feelings of hunger and to obesity. IMCIVREE is the first-ever therapy developed for patients with hyperphagia and severe obesity caused by certain rare MC4R pathway diseases that is approved or authorized in the United States, European Union (EU) or Great Britain. In the United States, IMCIVREE is approved for chronic weight management in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with monogenic or syndromic obesity due to pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency as determined by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved test demonstrating variants in POMC , PCSK1 or LEPR genes that are interpreted as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or of uncertain significance (VUS), or Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). In the EU and Great Britain, IMCIVREE is indicated for the treatment of obesity and the control of hunger associated with 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 the fourth quarter of 2022, the European Commission is anticipated to make a final decision on our Type II variation application the application to expand the indication for setmelanotide to treat obesity and control of hunger in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with BBS. In July 2022, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Medicinal Committee for Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending this expansion of the current indication for IMCIVREE to include BBS. In addition to United States, EU and UK, we and our partners are seeking approval and or market access for IMCIVREE to treat patients with these MC4R pathway-related obesities in Argentina, Israel, China, Hong Kong and Macau. 21 Table of Contents Following FDA approval on June 16, 2022, we launched our commercial efforts to bring IMCIVREE to patients in the United States living with BBS. We are advancing efforts to achieve market access for BBS in EU member countries and the UK as well, pending EC authorization and local approvals. We also are advancing a broad clinical development program evaluating setmelanotide in several ongoing clinical trials, and we are leveraging what we believe is the largest known DNA database focused on obesity - with approximately 45,000 sequencing samples as of December 31, 2021 - to improve the understanding, diagnosis and care of people living with severe obesity due to certain variants in genes associated with the MC4R pathway. In April 2022, we enrolled the first patient in the pivotal Phase 3 EMANATE clinical trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate setmelanotide in four independent sub-studies in patients with obesity due to a heterozygous variant of the POMC/PCSK1 genes or LEPR gene or certain rare variants of the SRC1 gene or the SH2B1 gene. We also have initiated the Phase 2 DAYBREAK clinical trial designed to evaluate setmelanotide in patients who carry a confirmed variant in one or more of 10 additional genes with strong or very strong relevance to the MC4R pathway. Our broad clinical programs evaluating setmelanotide in rare MC4R pathway diseases also includes the ongoing exploratory Phase 2 Basket study, an ongoing Phase 2 study evaluating setmelanotide in patients with hypothalamic obesity, a Phase 3 study in pediatric patients with MC4R pathway deficiencies between the ages of 2 and 6 years old, and a potential registration-enabling study with our once-weekly formulation of setmelanotide. Additionally, as an FDA post-marketing requirement, we are currently evaluating the effects of setmelanotide on the QT interval corrected for heart rate, or QTc interval, in healthy volunteers. We also intend to seek input from the FDA on a pivotal Phase 3 trial in hypothalamic obesity, which we plan to initiate in early 2023. There are currently no effective or approved treatments for these MC4R pathway related diseases. The FDA has acknowledged the importance of these results by giving setmelanotide Breakthrough Therapy designation for the treatment of obesity associated with genetic defects upstream of the MC4R in the leptin melanocortin pathways. The Breakthrough Therapy designation currently covers indications for POMC deficiency obesity, LEPR deficiency obesity and BBS. Additional recent clinical, regulatory and commercial updates include: On August 2, 2022, we announced that more than 35 physicians have written more than 50 prescriptions for IMCIVREE in the first six weeks since IMCIVREE was approved by the FDA on June 16, 2022 for chronic weight management in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with obesity due to BBS. On August 2, 2022, we announced we had completed enrollment in our Phase 3 study evaluating setmelanotide in pediatric patients with MC4R pathway deficiencies between the ages of 2 and 6 years old. On July 22, 2022, we announced that the EMA’s CHMP adopted a positive opinion, recommending to expand the current indication for IMCIVREE to include the treatment of obesity and control of hunger in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with BBS. On July 19, 2022, we announced that the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) and Haute Autorité de santé (HAS) granted post-marketing authorization AP1 (autorisation d’accès précoce), or early access authorization, for setmelanotide for chronic weight management in adult and pediatric patients 6 years old and older with monogenic or syndromic obesity due to BBS. On July 18, 2022, we announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)in the United Kingdom has issued guidance that recommends IMCIVREE as an option for treating obesity and controlling hunger caused by POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency in people 6 years of age and over, which means IMCIVREE will be funded and available for use within 90 days in the National Health Service in England and Wales. On July 12, 2022, we announced positive interim results from the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating setmelanotide for the treatment of severe obesity and hyperphagia in people living with hypothalamic obesity. We estimate that there are approximately 5,000 to 10,000 patients living with hypothalamic obesity in the United States. 22 Table of Contents The Phase 2 clinical trial is a multi-center, open-label, proof-of-concept study that enrolled 18 patients with hypothalamic obesity who are between 6 and 28 years old. The Phase 2 clinical trial consists of 16 weeks of treatment with setmelanotide administered once daily by subcutaneous injection, including an initial period of dose titration. The primary endpoint is the percentage of patients who achieve more than 5 percent reduction in body mass index (“BMI”) from baseline after 16 weeks of treatment, compared to a historic control of less than 5 percent in this population. As of the data cutoff date of May 6, 2022, 11 patients were evaluable for assessment, including nine patients who completed 16 weeks of treatment and two patients who discontinued early. Data highlights from the interim analysis of the full analysis set (n=11) include, as of the cutoff date of May 6, 2022: • 100 percent of patients achieved a BMI decrease of more than 5 percent; • 17.2 percent mean percentage change in BMI (range: -37.2 percent, -6.7 percent); • 15.8 percent mean change (range: -34.9 percent, -6.7 percent) in body weight from baseline weight of 107.1 kgs (range: 39.0, 141.4 kgs) or 236.1 lbs; and • 15.9 kgs (range: -28.2, -6.7) or -35.1 lbs mean weight loss from baseline. Data highlights from the interim analysis of completers (n=9) include, as of the cutoff date of May 6, 2022: • 19.5 mean percent change in BMI (range: -37.2 percent, -10 percent); • 17.8 mean percent change (range: -34.9 percent, -10.7 percent) in body weight from baseline weight of 107.8 kg (range: 39.0 kgs, 141.4 kgs) or 236.1 lbs; and • 17.8 kgs (range: -28.2, -9.5) or -37.7 lbs mean weight loss from baseline. Setmelanotide also achieved a meaningful reduction in hunger scores. The mean change in hunger score for patients older than 12 years old who completed 16 weeks on therapy (n=7) was -2.7 on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being most hungry. Consistent with prior clinical experience in other rare MC4R pathway diseases, setmelanotide was observed to be generally well tolerated. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events included nausea, vomiting, COVID-19, diarrhea and injection site reactions. Of the 18 patients enrolled in this Phase 2 clinical trial, three discontinued due to adverse events, each of whom had achieved a reduction in BMI of more than 5 percent at the time they discontinued, and one patient was discontinued due to documented non-compliance to therapy. In total, 14 of the 18 patients enrolled in this Phase 2 clinical trial remained on setmelanotide therapy as of July 11, 2022. We plan to present the full data from the 18 patients enrolled in this Phase 2 clinical trial at an upcoming medical meeting in the fall of 2022. Based on the positive interim results from the Phase 2 clinical trial, we intend to proceed to Phase 3 clinical development following consultation with regulatory agencies On June 22, 2022, we announced the launch of IMCIVREE in Germany for patients with POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency obesity. IMCIVREE is the first precision medicine designed to induce weight loss and control of hunger that has received a lifestyle exemption from the German Federal Joint Committee, which means it is now eligible for national coverage and reimbursement. The Company also anticipates launching IMCIVREE in the U.K. and Italy for patients with POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiencies. Also on June 22, 2022, we announced that the EC authorized a variation for IMCIVREE that allows for dosing in patients aged 6 years or older with POMC or LEPR deficiency who have mild, moderate or severe renal impairment. On June 16, 2022, we announced that the U.S. FDA approved IMCIVREE for chronic weight management in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with obesity due to BBS. 23 Table of Contents Also on June 16, 2022, we announced a non-dilutive revenue interest financing agreement, or RIFA with HealthCare Royalty Partners, LLC, or 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 10, “Long-term Obligations” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. On June 13, 2022, at the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting & Expo (ENDO), we presented new data from our long-term extension (LTE) trial, which showed continued body mass index (BMI) and weight reductions in patients with BBS or POMC or LEPR deficiency obesity (biallelic) receiving between 18 months and three years of setmelanotide therapy. Also at ENDO, we presented initial data from the LTE trial demonstrating continued BMI and weight reductions in patients with SH2B1 or SRC1 deficiency obesity, or with POMC or LEPR insufficiency obesity (heterozygous). Our operations to date have been limited primarily to conducting research and development activities for setmelanotide. To date, we have generated less than $10.0 million of revenue from product sales and we have financed our operations primarily through the proceeds received from the sales of common and preferred stock, 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 February 2021, we have raised aggregate net proceeds of approximately $611.4 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 an asset sale, specifically in connection with the sale of our PRV. In December 2021, we entered into an Exclusive License Agreement with RareStone Group Ltd., and received $7.0 million in connection with the execution of that agreement. In June 2022, we entered into the RIFA with entities managed by HealthCare Royalty and received proceeds of $37.3 million, net of certain transaction costs at closing. We will not generate significant revenue from product sales until we are able to successfully establish a marketing and commercialization infrastructure for IMCIVREE. 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 intend to build our own marketing and commercial sales infrastructure and 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. As of June 30, 2022 we had an accumulated deficit of $626.7 million. Our net (loss) income was ($45.0) million, ($35.4) million, ($97.8) million and $8.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, 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: ● continue to conduct clinical trials for setmelanotide; ● engage contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, for the manufacture of clinical and commercial-grade setmelanotide; ● seek regulatory approval for setmelanotide for additional indications; ● expand our clinical, regulatory, commercial and corporate infrastructure and expand operations globally; 24 Table of Contents ● engage in the sales and marketing efforts necessary to support the continued commercial efforts of IMCIVREE globally; ● take into account the levels, timing and collection of revenue earned from sales of IMCIVREE and other products approved in the future, if any; and ● continue to operate as a public company. As of June 30, 2022, our existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were approximately $235.6 million. We expect that our previously announced changes to the EMANATE and DAYBREAK trials, coupled with a streamlining of our planned global network of clinical trial sites, will result in meaningful cost savings. We expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operations into 2024 , and that such existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, together with the second investment tranche under the RIFA expected in the second half of 2022, will enable us to fund our operating expenses into at least the second half of 2024. Corporate Background We are a Delaware corporation organized in February 2013 under the name Rhythm Metabolic, Inc., and as of October 2015, under the name Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Impact of COVID-19 We are closely monitoring how the continued spread of COVID-19 is affecting our employees, business, preclinical studies and clinical trials. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have limited access to our executive offices with most employees continuing their work outside of our offices and travel has been restricted. Based on current information we do not currently anticipate any disruption in the clinical supply of setmelanotide. Our CMOs have indicated that they have appropriate plans and procedures in place to ensure uninterrupted future supply of clinical and commercial-grade setmelanotide, subject to potential limitations on their operations due to COVID-19. As a result, we do not currently expect that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a material impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. At this time, however, there is still uncertainty relating to the trajectory of the pandemic and the impact of related responses, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted and may in the future result in difficulties or delays in initiating, enrolling, conducting or completing our planned and ongoing clinical trials and the incurrence of unforeseen costs as a result of disruptions in clinical supply or preclinical study or clinical trial delays. For example, we experienced interruption of key clinical trial activities, such as patient attendance and clinical trial site monitoring, in our Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating setmelanotide for the treatment of insatiable hunger and severe obesity in individuals with BBS or Alström syndrome. The impact of COVID-19 on our future results will largely depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the duration of the pandemic, the impact of variants, evolving travel restrictions and social distancing in the United States and other countries, business closures or business disruptions, the ultimate impact on financial markets and the global economy, the effectiveness of vaccines and vaccine distribution efforts and the effectiveness of other actions taken in the United States and other countries to contain and treat the disease. See “Risk Factors—The COVID-19 pandemic has and may continue to adversely impact our business, including our preclinical studies, clinical trials and our commercialization prospects.” in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Financial Operations Overview Revenue To date, we have generated less than $10.0 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 during March 2022 under the 25 Table of Contents paid early access program. We expect our initial sales of IMCIVREE will be limited by the ultra-rare nature of the disease and limited number of diagnosed patients in the United States and throughout the rest of the world. Cost of sales 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 three months ended June 30, 2022 were insignificant. We expect cost of sales to increase in 2022 as we continue to sell inventory that is produced after we began capitalizing IMCIVREE commercial inventory. We continue to evaluate the impact of this previously expensed inventory on the future cost of product sales, however we do not expect there to be a significant impact based on the cost structure of the product. Research and development expenses Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred for our research activities, including our drug discovery and genetic sequencing efforts, and the clinical development of setmelanotide, which include: ● expenses incurred under agreements with third parties, including CROs that conduct research and development and preclinical activities on our behalf, and the cost of consultants and CMOs that manufacture drug products for use in our preclinical studies and clinical trials; ● employee-related expenses including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expense; ● the cost of lab supplies and acquiring, developing and manufacturing preclinical and clinical study materials; ● the cost of genetic sequencing of potential patients in clinical studies; and ● facilities, depreciation, and other expenses, which include rent and maintenance of facilities, insurance and other operating costs. We expense research and development costs to operations as incurred. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. The capitalized amounts are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed. The following table summarizes our current research and development expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Months Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, Research and development summary 2022 2021 2022 2021 Research and development expense ​ $ 31,456 ​ $ 25,104 ​ $ 63,966 ​ $ 45,015 ​ 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 will depend on a variety of factors, including: ● the scope, rate of progress, and expense of our ongoing, as well as any additional, clinical trials and other research and development activities; ● the rate of enrollment in clinical trials; ● the safety and efficacy demonstrated by setmelanotide in future clinical trials; ● changes in regulatory requirements; 26 Table of Contents ● changes in clinical trial design; and ● the timing and receipt of any regulatory approvals. A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of our product candidates would significantly change the costs and timing associated with its development and potential commercialization. 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. Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling expenses consist of professional fees related to preparation for the commercialization of setmelanotide, as well as salaries and related benefits for commercial employees, including stock-based compensation. As we implement and execute our commercialization plans and start to market setmelanotide and as we explore new collaborations to develop and commercialize setmelanotide, we anticipate that these expenses will materially increase. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and other related costs, including stock-based compensation, relating to our full-time employees not involved in R&D or commercial activities. Other significant costs include rent, legal fees relating to patent and corporate matters and fees for accounting, tax and consulting services. The following table summarizes our current selling, general and administrative expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Months Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, Selling, general and administrative summary 2022 2021 2022 2021 Selling, general and administrative expense ​ $ 22,328 ​ $ 15,465 ​ $ 43,777 ​ $ 29,983 ​ We anticipate that our selling, general and administrative expenses will increase in the future to support continued and expanding development efforts, commercialization of IMCIVREE in the United States and the European Union as well as increased costs of operating as a global commercial stage biopharmaceutical public company. These increases will likely include increased costs related to the hiring of additional personnel and fees to outside consultants, lawyers and accountants, compliance with local rules and regulations in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, exchange listing and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) expenses, insurance and investor relations costs, among other expenses. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. These items are monitored and analyzed by us for changes in facts and circumstances on an ongoing basis, and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. There were no significant changes to our critical accounting policies as reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. 27 Table of Contents Results of Operations Comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, together with the changes in those items in dollars and as a percentage: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Three Months Ended ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ Change ​ 2022 2021 $ % ​ ​ (in thousands) Statement of Operations Data: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Product revenue, net $ 2,312 $ 274 ​ $ 2,038 ​ NM ​ License revenue ​ ​ 6,754 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 6,754 ​ NM ​ Costs and expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of sales ​ ​ 378 ​ ​ 137 ​ ​ 241 ​ NM ​ Research and development ​ ​ 31,456 ​ ​ 25,104 ​ ​ 6,352 ​ 25 % Selling, general, and administrative ​ 22,328 ​ 15,465 ​ 6,863 ​ 44 % Total costs and expenses ​ 54,162 ​ 40,706 ​ 13,456 ​ 33 % Loss from operations ​ (45,096) ​ (40,432) ​ (4,664) ​ 12 % Other income, net ​ 95 ​ 21 ​ 74 ​ 352 % Loss before taxes ​ ​ (45,001) ​ ​ (40,411) ​ ​ (4,590) ​ 11 % Benefit from income taxes ​ ​ — ​ ​ (5,022) ​ ​ 5,022 ​ (100) % Net loss ​ $ (45,001) ​ $ (35,389) ​ $ (9,612) ​ 27 % ​ NM=Not meaningful Product revenue, net . Product revenue, net increased to $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. There was no significant product revenue in the comparative period. The FDA approved our lead product candidate, IMCIVREE in November 2020 and we recorded our first sales of IMCIVREE in March 2021. 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 during June 2022. To date, substantially all of our product revenue has been generated in the United States. During March 2022, we completed our first sales of IMCIVREE in France through an early access program. During June 2022, we completed our first sales of IMCIVREE in Germany. License revenue. License revenue increased to $6.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and was entirely related to the license we granted to RareStone in December 2021 to develop, manufacture, commercialize and otherwise exploit any pharmaceutical product that contains setmelanotide in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of conditions and diseases in humans in China, including mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. We completed our activities required to transfer the license to RareStone during three month period ending June 30, 2022, which resulted in the recognition of the license revenue. We do not expect to recognize additional license revenue related to the RareStone arrangement during 2022. Cost of sales. Cost of sales increased to $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. 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 three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 were insignificant and primarily reflect the amortization of our capitalized sales based milestone payment made to Ipsen Pharma S.A.S., or Ipsen, upon our first commercial sale in the United States and European Union, as well as a royalty due to Ipsen on our net product sales. We expect cost of sales to increase over time as we sell inventory that is produced after we began capitalizing IMCIVREE commercial inventory. 28 Table of Contents Research and development expense. Research and development expense increased by $6.4 million to $31.5 million in 2022 from $25.1 million in 2021, an increase of 25%. The increase was primarily due to the following: ● an increase of $4.6 million in our clinical trial costs associated with new and planned clinical trials, including our Phase 2 DAYBREAK and Phase 3 EMANATE trials, Phase 3 pediatrics trial, QTc study, Phase 2 hypothalamic obesity study, and increased enrollment in our long-term extension study; these increases were partially offset by reduced activity due to the winding down of our BBS, Phase 2 Basket and GO-ID studies; ● an increase of $1.3 million in compensation and benefits due to the hiring of additional full-time employees in order to support the growth of our research and development programs and expansion of regulatory affairs operations; ● an increase of $0.7 million due to increased gene sequencing costs to support our expanded clinical programs; and ● an increase of $1.0 million in costs associated with support for regulatory filings and for clinical supply material . The above increases were partially offset by: ● a decrease of $1.2 million in costs associated with medical affairs. Selling, general and administrative expense. Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $6.9 million to $22.3 million in 2022 from $15.5 million in 2021, an increase of 44%. The increase was primarily due to the following: ● an increase of $5.0 million related to increased costs associated with commercial operations, sales and marketing activities for IMCIVREE in connection with preparing for the U.S approval for BBS obtained in June 2022; ● an increase of $1.0 million due to increased compensation and benefits related costs associated with additional headcount to support our expanding business operations as well as to build out our commercial operations in the United States and internationally ; and ● an increase of $1.0 million due to increased costs associated with office support and insurance costs for our expanding workforce. Other income, net. Other income increased by $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to improving interest rates during the period. Provision for income taxes. There is no provision for income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2022, as we project to generate operating losses during the year. We recorded an income tax benefit of $5.0 million as a result of the sale of our PRV during the three months ended June 30, 2021. Net loss . Net loss increased by $9.6 million to $45.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, from net loss of $35.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The increase in net loss was a result of higher costs as noted above, offset by current period revenues, and the non recurring nature of the impact of a tax benefit related to the sale of our PRV in the prior year period. 29 Table of Contents Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 The following table summarizes our results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, together with the changes in those items in dollars and as a percentage: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ Change ​ 2022 2021 $ ​ % ​ ​ (in thousands) Statement of Operations Data: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Product Revenue, net ​ $ 3,810 ​ $ 309 ​ $ 3,501 ​ NM ​ License revenue ​ ​ 6,754 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 6,754 ​ NM ​ Costs and expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of sales ​ ​ 608 ​ ​ 141 ​ ​ 467 ​ NM ​ Research and development ​ ​ 63,966 ​ ​ 45,015 ​ ​ 18,951 ​ 42 % Selling, general, and administrative ​ 43,777 ​ 29,983 ​ 13,794 ​ 46 % Total costs and expenses ​ 108,351 ​ 75,139 ​ 33,212 ​ 44 % Loss from operations ​ (97,787) ​ (74,830) ​ (22,957) ​ 31 % Other income, net ​ 22 ​ 100,175 ​ (100,153) ​ (100) % (Loss) income before taxes ​ ​ (97,765) ​ ​ 25,345 ​ ​ (123,110) ​ (486) % Provision for income taxes ​ ​ — ​ ​ 16,984 ​ ​ (16,984) ​ (100) % Net (loss) income ​ $ (97,765) ​ $ 8,361 ​ $ (106,126) ​ (1,269) % ​ NM=Not meaningful Product revenue, net. Product revenue, net increased to $3.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 . There was no significant product revenue in the comparative period. The FDA approved our lead product candidate, IMCIVREE in November 2020 and we recorded our first sales of IMCIVREE in March 2021. 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 during June 2022. To date, substantially all of our product revenue has been generated in the United States. During March 2022, we completed our first sales of IMCIVREE in France through an early access program. During June 2022, we completed our first sales of IMCIVREE in Germany. License revenue. License revenue increased to $6.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and was entirely related to the RareStone license. We completed our activities required to transfer the license to RareStone during six month period ending June 30, 2022 which resulted in the recognition of the license revenue. We do not expect to recognize additional license revenue related to the RareStone arrangement during 2022. Cost of sales. Cost of sales increased to $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. 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 six months ended June 30, 2022 were insignificant and primarily reflect the amortization of our capitalized sales based milestone payment made to Ipsen Pharma S.A.S., or Ipsen, upon our first commercial sale in the United States and European Union, as well as a royalty due to Ipsen on our net product sales. We expect cost of sales to increase overtime as we sell inventory that is produced after we began capitalizing IMCIVREE commercial inventory. Research and development expense. Research and development expense increased by $19.0 million to $64.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $45.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of 42%. The increase was primarily due to the following: ● an increase of $14.0 million in our clinical trial costs associated with new and planned clinical trials, including our Phase 2 DAYBREAK and Phase 3 EMANATE trials, Phase 3 pediatrics trial, QTc study, Phase 2 hypothalamic obesity study, and increased enrollment in our long-term extension study. These 30 Table of Contents increases were partially offset by reduced activity due to the completion and winding down of our BBS, Phase 2 Basket, renal and GO-ID studies; ● an increase of $4.2 million due to increased purchases of clinical supply material; ● an increase of $1.5 million in compensation and benefits due to the hiring of additional full-time employees in order to support the growth of our research and development programs and expansion of regulatory affairs operations; ● an increase of $1.2 million due to increased gene sequencing costs; ● an increase of $1.0 million in development milestones earned by Camurus AB, or Camurus, related to development milestone achieved related to our weekly formulation; and ● an increase of $0.5 million to support regulatory filings. The above increases were partially offset by: ● a decrease of $3.2 million in costs associated with medical affairs. Selling, general and administrative expense. Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $13.8 million to $43.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $30.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of 46%. The increase was primarily due to the following: ● an increase of $7.3 million related to increased costs associated with commercial operations, sales and marketing activities for IMCIVREE in connection with preparing for the U.S approval for BBS obtained in June 2022; ● an increase of $4.4 million due to increased compensation and benefits related costs associated with additional headcount to support our expanding business operations as well as to build out our commercial operations in the United States and internationally ; and ● an increase of $2.0 million due to increased costs associated with information technology, international office space, sponsorships and general corporate travel related expenses for our expanding workforce. Other income, net. Other income decreased by $100.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the sale of our PRV in February 2021. The sale of our PRV in the prior year was a non-recurring transaction. Provision for income taxes. There is no provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2022, as we project to generate operating losses during the year. We recorded a provision for income taxes of $17.0 million as a result of the sale of our PRV during the six months ended June 30, 2021. Net (loss) income . Net loss increased by $106.1 million to $97.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, from net income of $8.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The increase in net loss was primarily a result of the non-recurring nature of our PRV sale in 2021, which resulted in $100.0 million of other income during the prior year period, as well as higher costs in the current year as noted above. Liquidity and Capital Resources As of June 30, 2022, our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were approximately $235.6 million. 31 Table of Contents Cash flows The following table provides information regarding our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended June 30, ​ 2022 2021 ​ ​ (in thousands) Net cash provided by (used in): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating activities ​ $ (92,441) ​ $ (65,371) Investing activities ​ 108,501 ​ (132,187) Financing activities ​ 37,899 ​ 165,968 Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash ​ $ 53,959 ​ (31,590) ​ Net cash used in operating activities The use of cash in all periods resulted primarily from our net (loss) income adjusted for non-cash charges and changes in components of working capital. Net cash used in operating activities was $92.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and consisted primarily of a net loss of $87.3 million adjusted for non-cash items, which consisted of non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization and rent expense. The change in operating assets and liabilities reflected a total use of cash of approximately $4.5 million from a decrease in other long-term assets, prepaid expenses and other current assets coupled with a $0.6 million decrease in accounts payable, deferred revenue and accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Net cash used in operating activities was $65.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and consisted primarily of a net loss of $63.4 million adjusted for non-cash items, which consisted of non-cash stock-based compensation, the gain on the sale of the PRV, a deferred provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization and rent expense. The change in operating assets and liabilities reflected a total use of cash of approximately $0.6 million from an increase in accounts payables and accrued expenses associated with our CROs, CMOs, and consultants due to the timing of payments, coupled with an increase of $1.2 million in prepaid expenses. Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net cash provided by investing activities was $108.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and relates to $163.1 million of maturities of short-term investments, partially offset by $50.4 million of purchases of short-term investments, a $4.0 million milestone obligation payment under our license agreement with Ipsen and $0.2 million related to the purchase of property plant and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities was $132.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and relates to $226.9 million of net purchases of short-term investments and $5.0 million for the acquisition of an intangible asset, partially offset by the $100.0 million in proceeds from the sale of the PRV. Net cash provided by financing activities Net cash provided by financing activities was $37.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, which represents the net proceeds from the RIFA coupled with the net proceeds of the issuance of common stock from our 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the ESPP. Net cash provided by financing activities was $166.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, which represents the net proceeds of $161.7 million from our common stock offering in February 2021 and $4.2 million of cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the issuance of common stock from the ESPP. 32 Table of Contents Revenue Interest Financing Agreement On June 16, 2022, we announced a non-dilutive revenue interest financing agreement, or RIFA, with HealthCare Royalty Partners, LLC, or 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 10, “Long-term Obligations” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q . Funding requirements We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue the clinical development of and seek marketing approval for setmelanotide for future indications, and build out our global organization. In addition, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution to the extent that such sales, marketing and distribution are not the responsibility of potential collaborators. We also expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. We expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operations into 2024, and that such existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, together with the second investment tranche under the RIFA expected in the second half of 2022, will enable us to fund our operating expenses into at least the second half of 2024. We may need to obtain substantial additional funding in connection with our research and development activities and any continuing operations thereafter. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on favorable terms, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or future commercialization efforts. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including: ● the cost to commercialize setmelanotide, by building an internal sales force or entering into collaborations with third parties and providing support services for patients; ● the scope, progress, results and costs of clinical trials for our setmelanotide program; ● the costs, timing and outcome of regulatory review of our setmelanotide program; ● the obligations owed to Ipsen, Camurus and Takeda pursuant to our license agreements; ● the extent to which we acquire or in-license other product candidates and technologies; ● the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property rights and defending intellectual property-related claims; ● our ability to establish and maintain additional collaborations on favorable terms, if at all; and ● the costs of operating as a public company, including those resulting from losing our emerging growth company status. Although IMCIVREE has been approved by the FDA and authorized by the EC and Great Britain in certain indications, IMCIVREE may not achieve commercial success. In addition, developing our setmelanotide program is a time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process that may take years to complete, and we may never generate the necessary data or results required to obtain future marketing approvals and achieve product sales. Accordingly, we will need to continue to rely on additional financing to achieve our business objectives. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. 33 Table of Contents In addition, the magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our liquidity and future funding requirements is uncertain as of the filing date of this Quarterly Report as this continues to evolve globally. See “Impact of COVID-19” above and “Risk Factors— The COVID-19 pandemic has and may continue to adversely impact our business, including our preclinical studies, clinical trials and our commercialization prospects.” in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report for a further discussion of the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenues, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. Debt financing, if available, involves agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise funds through additional collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties or other means, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our setmelanotide program on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity, debt financings or other means, when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market our setmelanotide program that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves. Contractual obligations As of June 30, 2022, apart from additional contractual obligations under our RIFA as disclosed in Note 10, “Long-Term Obligations”, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there were no other material changes to our principal contractual obligations and commitments as reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Recent Accounting Pronouncements For a discussion of pending and recently adopted accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk As of June 30, 2022, there were no material changes to our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks as reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.