Ipsen, a global biotechnology specialty care group, and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals (Rhythm), a biotechnology company developing peptide therapeutics for metabolic diseases, have concluded a license agreement for Ipsen’s proprietary peptide therapeutics targeting obesity, metabolic diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders. Under the terms of the agreement, Ipsen has granted Rhythm an exclusive worldwide license for research, development, and commercialization of its melanocortin and ghrelin programs originating from Ipsen research.

“The agreement with Rhythm is a clear catalyst for the development of proprietary molecules from Ipsen in promising indications within the area of metabolic diseases, which are outside of our core strategic focus,” said Stéphane Thiroloix, executive vice president, Corporate Development, Ipsen. “Given Rhythm’s complete focus on metabolic diseases, this transaction will leverage our combined expertise and resources to rapidly transform these important discoveries into valuable medical treatments.”

“Rhythm has a great opportunity to develop significant new peptide therapeutics to improve the health of people with obesity, diabetes, and other intractable metabolic diseases,” said Bart Henderson, President of Rhythm. “We are extremely fortunate to have access to Ipsen’s peptide discoveries and expertise in peptide formulations to help us achieve this vision.”

The license granted to Rhythm includes Ipsen’s compounds and intellectual property related to analogs of the peptide hormones, ghrelin and MSH, which regulate food intake, energy homeostasis, and gastrointestinal function.

Rhythm is a biotechnology company developing peptide therapeutics that address unmet needs in metabolic diseases. Rhythm investors include MPM Capital and New Enterprise Associates.

Ipsen is a global biotechnology specialty care group with total sales in excess of 1 billion euros in 2009, and total worldwide staff of more than 4,400.