Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, affecting over two billion people and contributing to disability, reduced productivity, and higher healthcare costs. In the US and EU alone, more than 30 million women are affected, highlighting the scale of this condition even in developed regions^1-3.

Women of reproductive age and children are particularly vulnerable due to higher physiological demands and limited dietary iron intake. Beyond fatigue and anemia, iron deficiency is linked to impaired cognitive function, depression, preterm birth, and altered immune responses that can affect inflammation, infection, and tumor progression^4-6.

The consequences of iron deficiency extend beyond health, imposing a substantial societal and economic burden. In Switzerland alone, it is estimated to account for approximately 118,000 lost workdays per year⁷.

Challenges with current oral therapies

While oral iron supplementation remains the standard first-line treatment for IDA, its clinical performance is limited by poor absorption and low patient adherence. Typically, only 2–20% of administered iron is absorbed⁸, largely because conventional supplements release iron too quickly and often outside the duodenum, the primary site of iron absorption. Unabsorbed iron contributes to side effects such as nausea, epigastric discomfort, and constipation, causing up to 50% of patients to discontinue therapy⁹. Rapid iron release can also trigger an increase in plasma hepcidin, the body’s key regulator of iron metabolism, further reducing absorption from subsequent doses. Intravenous (IV) iron, while effective, is costly, carries infusion-related risks, and is less convenient for patients.

Rethinking oral iron delivery with GARD technology

To address these limitations, our Gastroretentive AI-Refined Drug Delivery (GARD) technology aims to prolonged gastric residence and controlled, targeted release of iron in the duodenum. This approach is intended to enhance absorption, reduce side effects, and improve patient compliance, establishing a new standard for oral iron therapy.