What is "palovarotene"

Palovarotene (R-667, RO-3300074) is a highly selective retinoic acid receptor gamma (RAR-γ) agonist that is under investigation as a potential treatment for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), an ultra-rare and severely disabling genetic disease characterized by extra-skeletal bone formation (heterotopic ossification or HO) in muscle and soft tissues.

Palovarotene is being developed by Clementia Pharmaceuticals and was granted Fast Track and orphan drug designations by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of FOP and Orphan Medicinal Product Designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2014. Phase II clinical studies are currently underway.