Rusfertide

How it works

Starves the marrow of iron by mimicking hepcidin, the liver's iron-control hormone, so fewer red cells form in polycythemia vera.

What it's made of

17 amino acids in a ring that mimic the start of hepcidin, the liver hormone that controls iron. It carries a palmitic acid tail to last a week.

What it's for

Prescribed for

Erythrocytosis (too many red blood cells) in adults with polycythemia vera.