La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co., of San Diego, started the phase II LJ401-HH01 trial testing LJPC-401 (synthetic human hepcidin) in approximately 60 patients with hereditary hemochromatosis. The trial will measure the change in transferrin saturation from baseline to the end of the 12-week treatment compared to placebo as the primary endpoint. Change in serum ferritin from baseline to end of treatment and the requirement for and frequency of phlebotomy procedures – removal of blood – during the study will be measured as secondary endpoints.