Disc Medicine's Drug Approval Delayed to Feb 10, Stock Rises 2.59%
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 16 2026
0mins
Should l Buy IRON?
Source: Benzinga
- Approval Delay: The FDA has postponed its decision on Disc Medicine's experimental treatment bitopertin to February 10, yet the stock rose 2.59%, indicating market optimism about its future prospects.
- Efficacy Concerns: FDA reviewers questioned the statistical reliability of the secondary endpoint “pain-free time in the sun,” which could impact the drug's approval process and add regulatory uncertainty.
- Internal Review: The FDA has requested an evaluation of bitopertin's potential for abuse, complicating the review process, although analysts believe this may just be noise and unlikely to significantly affect the outcome.
- Market Expectations: H.C. Wainwright maintains a “Buy” rating on Disc Medicine with a price target of $118, reflecting strong market confidence in the company's future.
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Analyst Views on IRON
Wall Street analysts forecast IRON stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 64.480
Low
100.00
Averages
120.20
High
154.00
Current: 64.480
Low
100.00
Averages
120.20
High
154.00
About IRON
Disc Medicine, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel treatments for patients suffering from serious hematologic diseases. The Company's pipeline includes bitopertin for the treatment of erythropoietic porphyrias (Eps), including erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP), and Diamond-Blackfan Anemia (DBA); DISC-0974 for the treatment of anemia of myelofibrosis (MF), and anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and DISC-3405 (formerly MWTX-003) for the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV) and other hematologic disorders. In addition, its preclinical programs also include DISC-0998, for the treatment of anemia associated with inflammatory diseases. Bitopertin is the lead product candidate in the Company's heme biosynthesis modulation portfolio. It is developing DISC-3405, a monoclonal antibody against Transmembrane Serine Protease 6 that it licensed from Mabwell Therapeutics, Inc.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors in Disc Medicine, Inc., focusing on whether the company and its executives have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, which could severely impact investor rights.
- FDA Review Delay: On January 15, 2026, it was reported that a drug under development by Disc faced a delay in its review timeline due to safety and efficacy concerns flagged by U.S. FDA scientists, drawing significant market attention.
- Stock Price Decline: Following the news of the FDA review delay, Disc's stock price fell by $6.04, or 7.84%, closing at $71.04 per share on January 15, 2026, indicating market concerns regarding the company's future prospects.
- Law Firm Background: Pomerantz LLP is recognized as a premier firm in corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation, having been established for over 85 years and committed to fighting for the rights of victims of securities fraud and corporate misconduct, suggesting that this investigation may lead to broader legal implications.
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- FDA Regulatory Challenge: Disc Medicine's shares plummeted approximately 22% on Friday following a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA regarding its drug bitopertin, indicating significant obstacles in the accelerated approval process that have shaken market confidence.
- Clinical Trial Results: While clinical trials demonstrated bitopertin's efficacy in lowering whole blood metal-free PPIX, the FDA concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a clear association with clinical benefits, delaying the drug's approval and potentially impacting future sales expectations.
- Next Steps: Disc Medicine plans to request a Type A meeting with the FDA to discuss next steps and remains confident in its ongoing APOLLO trial, which is expected to yield topline data in Q4 2026, potentially providing support for traditional approval of the drug.
- Financial Position: As of December 31, 2025, Disc Medicine holds approximately $791 million in cash, projected to last until 2029, providing a financial buffer as the company navigates regulatory challenges and enhancing its long-term viability.
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- FDA Complete Response Letter: Disc Medicine received a Complete Response Letter from the US FDA regarding its bitopertin application, causing shares to plummet approximately 22% on Friday, highlighting the direct impact of regulatory uncertainty on the company's market performance.
- Clinical Trial Requirements: The FDA stated that it needs to see results from the phase 3 APOLLO trial before making a final decision, with topline data expected in Q4, which will directly influence the market outlook for bitopertin.
- Trial Data Context: Disc's NDA included data from the phase 2 AURORA and BEACON trials, with the FDA noting that these results indicated bitopertin significantly lowered levels of PPIX, the molecule in the skin causing erythropoietic protoporphyria, suggesting its potential efficacy.
- Accelerated Approval Program: Bitopertin is part of the FDA Commissioner's National Priority Voucher pilot program for accelerated approval review, indicating its significance and potential market opportunities in the treatment of rare diseases despite facing challenges.
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- FDA Denial: Disc Medicine's bitopertin oral tablets were denied FDA approval, causing a 21% drop in share price on Friday, reflecting market concerns over the sufficiency of clinical data and impacting investor confidence.
- Clinical Trial Requirements: The FDA has mandated that the company provide evidence of clinical benefit from 'adequate and well-controlled trials' before approval, with Disc planning to resubmit its application after completing the APOLLO trial, expecting a new decision by mid-2027.
- Fast Track Review: Bitopertin is one of 18 drugs under the FDA's National Priority Voucher program initiated in June 2025, which aims to reduce review times from the standard 10-12 months to 1-2 months, indicating the FDA's recognition of the drug's potential.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Despite the FDA's rejection, retail sentiment on Stocktwits for IRON stock shifted from 'bearish' to 'bullish', with message volume increasing from 'normal' to 'high', indicating investor optimism regarding potential future approval.
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- FDA Response: The FDA acknowledged that AURORA and BEACON trials provided sufficient evidence that Bitopertin significantly lowers PPIX, yet it requires results from the ongoing APOLLO study, indicating a cautious approach towards accelerated approval.
- Clinical Trial Progress: The APOLLO study is underway, with topline data expected in Q4 2026, and Disc Medicine plans to respond to the CRL post-study completion, which could impact the traditional approval pathway for Bitopertin.
- Financial Position: As of December 31, 2025, Disc Medicine reported approximately $791 million in cash and cash equivalents, indicating financial resilience to support operations through 2029 amidst FDA challenges.
- Market Reaction: Although the CRL delays Bitopertin's potential approval, Disc Medicine remains confident in the APOLLO trial, which is expected to garner increased enthusiasm from patients and physicians, thereby strengthening its market position in EPP treatment.
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- Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims of securities fraud against Disc Medicine, Inc., focusing on whether the company and its executives engaged in unlawful business practices that could lead to significant investor losses.
- FDA Review Delay: On January 15, 2026, it was reported that a drug under development by Disc faced a delay in its review timeline due to safety and efficacy concerns raised by FDA scientists, directly impacting market confidence in the company.
- Significant Stock Drop: Following the FDA news, Disc's stock price fell by $6.04, or 7.84%, closing at $71.04 per share on January 15, 2026, reflecting investor concerns about the company's future prospects.
- Potential Legal Action: Pomerantz LLP is advising affected investors to reach out, indicating the possibility of a class action lawsuit, which could further exacerbate Disc's legal and financial pressures in the market.
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