Shield Therapeutics said it will take full commercial control of its U.S. iron-deficiency therapy ACCRUFeR by September 30, ending a co-commercialization agreement with Viatris that began in 2022. The London-based company will assume responsibility for pricing, market access, promotion and its dedicated U.S. sales force, gaining direct access to prescriber, payor and patient data in the process.
The transition follows Shield’s expectation that the move will enhance its path to operating profitability in 2026, with the company citing improved margins, stronger cash generation and immediate accretion from higher net sales retention. Shield will not make an upfront payment to Viatris but will pay royalties on U.S. net sales, starting in the high single digits in early years and rising to the mid-teens over a five-year term.
The U.S. is Shield’s largest and fastest-growing market for ACCRUFeR, a branded prescription oral iron therapy for iron deficiency. The company expects the increased costs of taking over the sales organization to be more than offset by the margin gains from the transition.
Shield plans to host an investor webinar on September 1, 2026 at 2:15 pm BST to discuss the strategic shift. Chief Executive Anders Lundstrom called the transaction a milestone, noting progress in establishing ACCRUFeR as the leading branded oral iron therapy in the United States.
