Why Are Disc Medicine Shares Trading Higher Today

Disc Medicine Inc IRON presented preliminary findings from its ongoing Phase 2 BEACON trial of bitopertin for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP) at the European Hematology Association 2023 Congress. 

EPP is an inherited porphyria resulting in the accumulation of protoporphyrins in red blood cells that causes acute, painful photosensitivity and potential liver disease.

The initial trial data demonstrated consistent decreases in PPIX, significant increases in reported sunlight tolerance, and improvements in patient quality of life measures.

Consistent and dose-dependent reductions of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX), the disease-causing metabolite in EPP, were observed in patients treated with bitopertin; mean reduction of >40% compared to baseline.

Measures of light tolerance (individual) from two participants with the longest follow-up demonstrated substantial increases in sunlight tolerance.

A participant on 20 mg bitopertin reported a >80-fold increase in sunlight tolerance on day 88 of treatment, increasing from 4.5 minutes at baseline to over 6 hours; the participant did not report a prodrome during any sunlight challenge after Day 20

A participant on 60 mg bitopertin reported a >200-fold increase in sunlight tolerance on day 74 of treatment, increasing from 1.25 minutes at baseline to over 4 hours, and did not report a prodrome during any sunlight challenge after Day 120.

Average weekly total time spent in sunlight: increased from 344 minutes (approximately 49 minutes per day) to 1,200 minutes at Week 24.

Bitopertin was well-tolerated, with no meaningful changes in hemoglobin observed.

Price Action: IRON shares are up 17.70% at $46.47 on the last check Friday.