BOSTON, Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhythm announced today that the company has raised an additional $8 million to complete a $33 million Series B financing. The additional $8 million comes from new investor, Pfizer Venture Investments, the venture capital arm of Pfizer. Pfizer joins existing investors MPM Capital, New Enterprise Associates, Third Rock Ventures, and Ipsen, which all participated in a first closing of the Series B financing earlier this year.

Rhythm will use the proceeds to further develop its small-peptide therapeutics for metabolic diseases. RM-131 is a ghrelin agonist currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for diabetic gastroparesis and GI functional disorders. RM-493 is a melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonist that is completing Phase 1 clinical trials for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. This additional financing brings the total capital raised by Rhythm to $73 million.

"We are excited to have the support of Pfizer Ventures as we advance both metabolic programs through Phase 2 trials," said Bart Henderson, Co-Founder and President of Rhythm. "The Pfizer team has deep commercial and development experience that we intend to leverage as we expand the clinical trial program for these two important new therapeutics."

"The obesity and diabetes epidemics represent one of the largest medical challenges confronting society today," said Dr. Barbara Dalton, Vice President Venture Capital, Pfizer Venture Investments. "Rhythm's metabolic programs are compelling because of the initial proof-of-concept data from ongoing clinical programs, along with the fact that peptide therapeutics have delivered high success rates in clinical development. We are pleased to help Rhythm capitalize on its opportunities."

About Pfizer Venture Investments
Pfizer Venture Investments (PVI), the venture capital arm of Pfizer Inc., was founded in 2004 and invests for return in areas of current or future strategic interest to Pfizer. As part of the Worldwide Business Development division, PVI seeks to remain at the forefront of life science advances, looking to identify and invest in emerging companies that are developing compounds and technologies that have the potential to enhance Pfizer's pipeline and shape the future of our industry. For more information, please visit www.pfizerventureinvestments.com 

About Rhythm (www.rhythmtx.com)
Rhythm is a biotechnology company developing peptide therapeutics that address unmet needs in metabolic diseases. Rhythm is developing the ghrelin peptide agonist, RM-131, for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis and other GI functional disorders, and the MC4R peptide agonist, RM-493, for obesity and diabetes. Rhythm investors include MPM Capital, New Enterprise Associates, Third Rock Ventures, Ipsen, and Pfizer Venture Investments. The company is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Contact:
Bart Henderson
President
(857) 264-4281
bhenderson@rhythmtx.com

SOURCE Rhythm