Setmelanotide for treating obesity caused by rare genetic disorders in children aged 2 to 6 years

Setmelanotide is in clinical development for the treatment of children aged 2 to <6 years with obesity caused by rare genetic disorders. These include proopiomelanocortin (POMC), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1), or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency, or Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), all of which are characterised by early-onset hyperphagia and resulting obesity. Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat build up that may cause poor health. Childhood obesity has many influencing factors, but essentially is caused by taking in more energy than is used over time. Behavioural, environmental, and genetic risk factors can be responsible for causing obesity. Currently there are no licensed pharmacological interventions for children aged 2 to 6 years with obesity in the UK.