Winner
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals
Summary of work
Imagine launching not just a new treatment in a little-understood therapy area, but a whole new company, and all in the space of one year. That’s just what the small but passionate team of four at Rhythm’s International Team did in 2022.
They had a mountain to climb, with many obstacles along the way: new genetic understanding; no disease awareness outside of a few experts; unclear patient pathways; stigma; lack of professional relationships; no scientific societies; the list went on.
The team was undaunted, safe in the knowledge that this innovation would change the lives of patients with rare genetic causes of obesity who had been left behind with no other options.
They focused on working closely together, and with their external partners, healthcare professionals and, most importantly, patients, aligned to one vision. This meant they could achieve more meaningful outcomes and reach the summit. By the end of 2022, this small team had built valuable relationships that would see their innovation change the lives of patients and caregivers who had previously never had a chance.
They entered 2023 poised for even more success with the right foundations. They had worked smart, moved fast and had fun.
Judges’ comments
The spirit and passion for collaboration and partnership is abundant in the tone of this entry. The team at Rhythm forged new ground in a neglected therapeutic area, created space for a new scientific direction and not least set about building a corporate structure around this new product across a number of geographic regions. The judges thought the strategy was expertly focused and were impressed by the team’s excellent achievements.
