Shield Therapeutics PLC (LSE:STX, FRA:1JS) (LON:STX) has flagged up research in a leading academic publication showcasing some “very exciting” results from a study involving its lead product.
Investigators assessed the potential of Feraccru (known as Accrufer in the US, and also called ferric maltol).
They did so in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the orally administered drug over an initial 16 weeks, extending out to 52 weeks.
The data reveal ferric maltol had a statistically significant impact on haemoglobin levels at 16 weeks that was sustained over the year.
The lead author, Dr Nelson Kopyt, said: "Iron deficiency anaemia is a common problem that we must deal with in our CKD patients.
“With the data from this study we now have very good evidence that oral ferric maltol is well tolerated and results in a statistically significant and sustained increase in haemoglobin for the 52 weeks studied.
“This is very exciting news as we now have an iron preparation that can be administered orally with patient tolerability comparable to placebo."
The article was carried in the recent online edition of the American Journal of Kidney Disease. For more information click here.