Micronutrient Deficiency
Approximately 2 billion people across the globe - or a third of the world's population - are affected by micronutrient deficiencies. The most common deficiencies are iron, Vitamin A and iodine. The effects of micronutrient deficiencies can range from mild to extremely severe, leading to poor health, stunted growth, mental and learning disabilities, loss of vision and even premature death.
Current approaches for micronutrient deficiencies include oral and parenteral supplements. In many cases, however, challenges exist in terms of a patient's ability to tolerate supplements, especially those taken orally.
Iron deficiency anemia, for example, affects more than 14 million women in the US. Pregnant women are at higher risk: 90% of pregnant women experience at least mild to moderate iron deficiency. The most common treatment for these women is an oral iron supplement, yet more than 50% of these women cannot tolerate oral iron due to nausea, constipation and other gastrointestinal adverse effects.
We have a novel approach to addressing this problem currently in the pre-clinical stage of development. First time in human studies are scheduled for 2010.
- Central Nervous System
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Metabolic Disease
- Micronutrient Deficiency
- Gastrointestinal
- End-Stage Renal Disease
