Deferitazole is an iron chelator, developed by the FerroKin BioSciences (later acquired by Shire, and then by Takeda). Deferitazole is a member of the desazadesferrithiocin class of siderophore-related tridentate chelators. It binds Fe(III) with very high affinity and selectivity over Fe(II) and other biologically important metals. Deferitazole was investigated in phase 2 clinical trials in patients with iron overload due to repeated red blood cell transfusion and beta-thalassemia, however, the development of the drug was discontinued. In preclinical models, deferitazole demonstrated efficacy for the treatment and prevention of malaria.