Shield: Armoring Iron for IBD

In most anemia patients, oral iron therapies such as ferrous salts are usually tried first, but gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea and constipation make them inappropriate for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Shield Holdings AG believes its ST10-021 could be the first oral iron therapy for these patients because it does not have the side effects.

The company was to announce this week that it has granted AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG rights to ST10-021 in central and eastern Europe and the Middle East. In return, AOP will invest €3 million ($4.2 million) for a 12% stake in Shield...