Ironwood Pharmaceuticals: Marketing Medicines for Unmet Medical Needs

As of January 2014, there are about 480 people that are employed by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals. These employees are also equity holders that carefully protect the business resources. The company is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is in the business of developing and marketing of different types of medicines.

Formerly known as Microbia, Inc., the company adopted its current brand name in 2008. Among its marketed products are Linaclotide and LINZESS, both FDA-approved drugs. The former is a medication that focuses on the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and related symptoms. This condition affects about 20% of the American population, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). There are also several medicines that are in the pipeline and are already in various clinical test phases.

The name of the company is taken from the ironwood tree which can survive for thousands of years in the harshest desert. Ironwood is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol IRWD.