Disc Medicine, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase 1 study of DISC-3405 (formerly MWTX-003) in healthy volunteers. DISC-3405 is a monoclonal antibody designed to targetTMPRSS6 (Transmembrane Serine Protease 6, also known as Matriptase-2) to increase hepcidin and decrease iron. The study will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-ascending dose Phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers and will evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and measures of pharmacodynamic activity, including markers of iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis.

Following completion of this study, Disc plans to initiate a trial in polycythemia vera, for which DISC-3405 has received Fast Track Designation.