Allergan acquiring Rhythm's GI subsidiary

Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN) exercised its option to acquire the Motus Therapeutics Inc. subsidiary of Rhythm Holding Co. LLC (Boston, Mass.) for $200 million. It plans to begin Phase III trials of Motus' lead candidate relamorelin ( RM-131) to treat gastroparesis in patients with Type I and Type II diabetes.

Also on Thursday, the companies announced top-line data from a Phase IIb trial of relamorelin showing that the ghrelin agonist reduced vomiting frequency, the primary endpoint, by about 75% compared to baseline. However, an unusually high placebo response "limited the ability to demonstrate treatment efficacy" on the endpoint. The companies did not respond to inquiries. ...