Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: RYTM) announced board changes including the appointment of Kim Popovits as a new director and the departure of Ed Mathers, according to a company statement.

Popovits brings more than 40 years of life sciences experience to the Boston-based biopharmaceutical company. She previously served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Genomic Health, where she led development and commercialization of Oncotype DX. She also held senior leadership positions at Genentech and American Critical Care, a Division of American Hospital Supply Corporation.

Popovits currently serves on boards of several public and private life sciences companies and works as an Executive Advisor to Blackstone Life Sciences.

Mathers, who joined Rhythm's board in 2013, will depart as part of the changes. David Meeker, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rhythm, said Mathers provided "deep biopharmaceutical experience" and "steady stewardship" during the company's evolution.

Rhythm develops treatments for rare neuroendocrine diseases. The company's lead product, IMCIVREE (setmelanotide), is approved by the FDA to reduce excess body weight in adults and pediatric patients with specific genetic obesity conditions including acquired hypothalamic obesity and obesity due to Bardet-Biedl syndrome or certain genetic deficiencies.

The drug is also authorized in Europe and the United Kingdom for treating obesity and controlling hunger in patients with genetically confirmed conditions. Rhythm is advancing clinical programs for setmelanotide in other rare diseases and developing additional investigational treatments.