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Evidence section

Setmelanotide and rare genetic obesity

Reviewed and signedLast updated 2026-09-18Reviewed by two pharmacists registered in British Columbia, 2026-09-18

Two pharmacists registered and practising in British Columbia read this page against the study pages and papers it lists and signed it. Their names are withheld from the site and held on file; their registration is confirmed on request.

A small number of people live with obesity caused by a specific gene change, such as POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency or Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Setmelanotide is a medicine developed for these conditions only. The trials in this hub are small and single-arm, which means everyone received the medicine and there was no placebo group. They do not apply to common forms of obesity.

Studies in this section (2)

Setmelanotide for rare genetic obesity: the POMC and LEPR trials

Plain-language summary of two small phase 3 trials of setmelanotide (Imcivree) for POMC or LEPR deficiency obesity, with Canadian trial sites.

2020Reviewed and signed

Setmelanotide in children aged 2 to 5: the VENTURE trial

Plain-language summary of VENTURE, a one-year trial of setmelanotide (Imcivree) in 12 children aged 2 to 5 with rare genetic obesity, for Canadians.

2025Reviewed and signed

Other evidence sections

Semaglutide studies explainedTirzepatide studies explainedEmerging weight-management medicinesLiraglutide, naltrexone-bupropion and orlistat studiesWhat happens when weight-management medicines are stoppedLifestyle programs, dietitians and diabetes preventionBariatric surgery studiesSide effects and safety studiesGLP-1 medicines and pregnancyHow people use GLP-1 medicines outside trialsCanadian guidelines and cost studiesEating disorders and behavioural weight management

How to read these pages

Every page in this section explains one published study. The numbers are reported as the researchers published them, with a link to the paper on PubMed. Pages say what a study cannot tell you and never rank one medicine against another. They are education, not medical advice. For how a medicine is used and paid for in Canada, see medicines, public drug coverage by province and compare services.

Reviewed and signed by two pharmacists registered in British Columbia, 2026-09-18.