Rockwell Medical Files IND to Investigate Triferic for Rare Orphan Disease Iron-Refractory, Iron-Deficiency Anemia (IRIDA)

WIXOM, Mich., Feb. 22, 2016 -- Rockwell Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ:RMTI), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron replacement, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis, announced today that it filed an IND to investigate Triferic as a potential treatment for patients with a rare anemia condition called iron-refractory, iron-deficiency anemia (IRIDA).  

Raymond D. Pratt, Chief Medical Officer of Rockwell stated, “IRIDA patients currently have no available treatment options, and we believe that Triferic can address this unmet need and offer patients a form of iron which can treat their anemia and improve their well-being. We plan to begin conducting studies with Triferic for this orphan disease this year. Rockwell is committed to exploring the unique properties of Triferic to benefit patients not only with renal disease but also in conditions where elevated hepcidin leads to functional iron deficiency.”

IRIDA is an orphan disease caused by a mutation in a gene controlling the expression of hepcidin, which leads to high levels of hepcidin. It is a life-long affliction that manifests in early childhood. Patients with IRIDA have high hepcidin levels and cannot absorb oral iron. Hepcidin blocks the iron transporter responsible for the release of iron from cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Consequently, IRIDA patients also do not respond to IV iron preparations, which have to be processed in the RES.  Triferic has a unique mechanism of action which bypasses the RES processing step and donates iron directly to transferrin for use in erythropoiesis. Less than 100 patients from families of different ethnic origin have been described with IRIDA to date, however it is likely that this condition is underdiagnosed.

About Triferic
Triferic is a unique iron replacement product that is delivered to hemodialysis patients via dialysate, replacing the ongoing iron loss that occurs during their dialysis treatment. Triferic is added to the bicarbonate concentrate on-site at the dialysis clinic. Once in dialysate, Triferic crosses the dialyzer membrane and enters the blood where it immediately binds to transferrin and is transported to the erythroid precursor cells to be incorporated into hemoglobin. Triferic delivers sufficient iron to the bone marrow and maintains hemoglobin without increasing iron stores (ferritin). Please visit www.triferic.com or call Rockwell Medical at 800-449-3353 for more information.

About Rockwell Medical
Rockwell Medical is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron replacement, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis.

Rockwell’s Triferic is indicated for iron replacement and maintenance of hemoglobin in hemodialysis patients. Triferic delivers iron to patients during their regular dialysis treatment, using dialysate as the delivery mechanism. Triferic has demonstrated that it safely and effectively delivers sufficient iron to the bone marrow and maintains hemoglobin without increasing iron stores (ferritin).

Rockwell’s FDA approved generic drug Calcitriol is for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients. Calcitriol (active vitamin D) injection is indicated in the management of hypocalcemia in patients undergoing chronic renal dialysis. It has been shown to significantly reduce elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Reduction of PTH has been shown to result in an improvement in renal osteodystrophy. 

Rockwell is also an established manufacturer and leader in delivering high-quality hemodialysis concentrates/dialysates to dialysis providers and distributors in the U.S. and abroad. As one of the two major suppliers in the U.S., Rockwell’s products are used to maintain human life by removing toxins and replacing critical nutrients in the dialysis patient’s bloodstream. Rockwell has three U.S. manufacturing/distribution facilities.

Rockwell’s exclusive renal drug therapies support disease management initiatives to improve the quality of life and care of dialysis patients and are intended to deliver safe and effective therapy, while decreasing drug administration costs and improving patient convenience. Rockwell Medical is developing a pipeline of drug therapies, including extensions of Triferic for indications outside of hemodialysis. Please visit www.rockwellmed.com for more information.

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Rockwell’s intention to launch Calcitriol and Triferic following FDA approval. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan”, “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While Rockwell Medical believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in Rockwell Medical’s SEC filings. Thus, actual results could be materially different. Rockwell Medical expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Triferic^® is a registered trademark of Rockwell Medical, Inc.

Michael Rice, Investor Relations; 646-597-6979