Disc Medicine (IRON) 2025 Conference Transcript

Summary of the Conference Call for Disc Medicine (IRON) Company Overview - Company: Disc Medicine (Ticker: IRON) - Event: 2025 Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference - Date: June 05, 2025 Key Points Discussed Industry and Regulatory Environment - FDA Interactions: Positive and consistent interactions with the FDA regarding the NDA submission for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP) treatment, with alignment on using Protoporphyrin IX (PP9) as a surrogate endpoint for accelerated approval [4][11] - NDA Timeline: Projected NDA filing in the second half of 2025, with a pre-NDA meeting scheduled without issues [8][12] Market Opportunity for EPP Treatment - Patient Population: Estimated 20,000 patients in the U.S. with EPP, with 14,000 patients seeking treatment based on claims data [16][17] - Engagement with Healthcare: Approximately 6,000 patients show a higher degree of engagement with the medical system, indicating a target population for the launch [18] - Commercial Strategy: Plans to utilize advocacy groups and marketing strategies to activate the full patient opportunity [18][19] Launch Trajectory and Market Dynamics - Launch Expectations: Anticipated launch curve similar to other successful rare disease therapies, with high patient engagement and awareness [21] - Disease Modifying Therapy: The treatment is positioned as a disease-modifying therapy, addressing the underlying cause of EPP rather than just symptoms [23][24] Clinical Data and Efficacy - PP9 Reduction: Significant reduction in PP9 levels is expected to be a key indicator of treatment efficacy, with a robust response anticipated from KOLs [24][28] - Phototoxic Reactions: Previous trials showed a 75% reduction in phototoxic reactions at the highest dose, which would be impactful if replicated in larger trials [28][29] Competitive Landscape - Other Treatments: Awareness of competitors like Dursomelagon and other early-stage assets targeting EPP, but limited activity in the space [31][32] - Anemia Program (974): Focus on anemia associated with chronic inflammation, particularly in myelofibrosis (MF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) [35][36] Upcoming Data and Regulatory Path - Data Readouts: Anticipated data from EHA and ASH conferences, with a focus on long-term efficacy and safety [42][45] - Regulatory Path for Anemia: Clearer regulatory path established with the FDA for different patient groups in myelofibrosis, including non-transfusion dependent and lightly transfused patients [67][72] Patient Stratification and Efficacy - Identifying Responders: Potential to identify high responders based on baseline ferritin and EPO levels, which may guide treatment decisions [82][84] Additional Insights - Market Dynamics: The treatment landscape for anemia in myelofibrosis is evolving, with a focus on addressing unmet needs in patient care [39][60] - Long-term Vision: The company aims to position its therapies as first-line treatments for anemia in myelofibrosis, differentiating from competitors that target more niche populations [64][66] This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from the conference call, highlighting the company's strategic direction, market opportunities, and clinical developments.