Ferriprox approved in Canada for treatment of iron overload in patients with sickle cell disease.

Ferriprox was previously approved in Canada for the treatment of iron overload in patients with thalassemia major when current chelation therapy is inadequate.

Thalassemia major and SCD are two disorders that affect red blood cells. Both conditions cause problems with hemoglobin, depriving many parts of the body of oxygen. People living with these conditions often require chronic blood transfusions that can put them at risk of developing very high levels of iron in their blood and vital organs. Ferriprox is a synthetic, orally active iron-chelating agent shown to be effective in reducing iron concentration by penetrating cell membranes and removing toxic iron from organ tissues and extracellular fluids.