IRWD
HealthcareIronwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic · $650M
What is Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.?
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals is a Boston-based healthcare company focused on gastrointestinal treatments. Its commercial anchor is linaclotide, marketed as LINZESS in the United States and Mexico and as CONSTELLA in Canada and the European Union.
Ironwood generates revenue primarily through the commercialization of linaclotide, a guanylate cyclase type-C agonist approved for adults with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation. The company partners with AbbVie, AstraZeneca, and Astellas Pharma to develop and distribute linaclotide across global markets. Beyond its lead product, Ironwood is advancing an early-stage pipeline targeting visceral pain conditions and immune-mediated liver disease.
Incorporated in 1998 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Ironwood adopted its current name in April 2008.
- LINZESS (linaclotide) — IBS-C and CIC treatment in the US and Mexico
- CONSTELLA (linaclotide) — GI treatment in Canada and the EU
- IW-3300 — investigational GC-C agonist for visceral pain conditions
- CNP-104 — immune nanoparticle in development for biliary cholangitis
Is IRWD a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates IRWD as Good overall, reflecting a mixed but constructive fundamental profile.
The Quality and Growth pillars both register as Good, suggesting the business generates reasonable earnings quality and has demonstrated meaningful top-line momentum relative to its size. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the stock appears reasonably priced compared to its fundamental profile — a notable positive for value-conscious investors.
The Moat and Risk pillars both register as Weak, pointing to limited competitive insulation and above-average business or financial risk — factors worth weighing carefully given the company's single-product revenue concentration.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does IRWD pay dividends?
No — Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay a dividend. For a specialty pharma company at this stage, retaining capital to fund pipeline development and commercial partnerships is the typical strategic rationale. Investors seeking income may want to look elsewhere, while those focused on growth may view the reinvestment approach as appropriate given the active pipeline.
When does IRWD report earnings?
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard US-listed equity practice.
Quarterly results tend to reflect linaclotide royalty and collaboration revenue alongside pipeline investment spending. Investors should monitor how partnership revenue trends and pipeline milestone costs evolve each quarter.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Ironwood Pharmaceuticals' investor relations page directly.
IRWD Price History
-64.8% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.?
Based on Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
IRWD Long-term Outlook
Ironwood's fundamental outlook is shaped by the durability of its linaclotide franchise and the pace of its early-stage pipeline. The Good Growth pillar label suggests the business has near-term momentum, though the Weak Risk pillar flags meaningful uncertainty — particularly around pipeline outcomes and revenue concentration. The Attractive Valuation label indicates the market may not be fully pricing in a successful pipeline expansion, which could represent opportunity or reflect genuine skepticism about execution.
Growth drivers
- Continued linaclotide royalty and collaboration revenue from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, and Astellas partnerships
- Potential pipeline catalysts from IW-3300 in visceral pain indications
- Possible label or market expansion for linaclotide in additional geographies
Key risks
- High revenue concentration in a single commercial product creates vulnerability to generic competition or label changes
- Weak Moat rating signals limited pricing power and competitive differentiation beyond the current franchise
- Early-stage pipeline carries binary clinical and regulatory risk that could weigh on the long-term growth profile
IRWD vs Peers
Ironwood operates in a niche corner of specialty healthcare, and its listed peers span different therapeutic and business-model profiles.
Knight focuses on acquiring and commercializing specialty pharma products across Latin America, giving it a geographically diversified revenue base compared to Ironwood's GI-centric model.
Tilray operates primarily in cannabis and beverage alcohol, representing a very different regulatory and commercial environment from Ironwood's prescription GI franchise.
DRI Healthcare acquires royalty interests in pharmaceutical products, offering investors a royalty-stream model rather than the direct commercialization approach Ironwood pursues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ironwood Pharmaceuticals do?
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals is a specialty healthcare company focused on gastrointestinal medicine. Its primary commercial product is linaclotide, sold as LINZESS in the US and Mexico and CONSTELLA in Canada and the EU, for adults with IBS-C or chronic idiopathic constipation. The company also has an early-stage pipeline targeting visceral pain and immune-mediated liver conditions.
Does IRWD pay dividends?
No, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay a dividend. The company retains capital to support its commercial operations and fund pipeline development. Investors seeking regular income should factor this into their assessment.
When does IRWD report earnings?
Ironwood reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. For the exact schedule and most recent results, check Ironwood Pharmaceuticals' official investor relations page.
Is IRWD a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates IRWD as Good overall. The Quality and Growth pillars are both Good, and Valuation is Attractive. However, both the Moat and Risk pillars are rated Weak, indicating meaningful risks around competitive positioning and business concentration. The complete pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is IRWD overvalued?
Based on the UQS framework, IRWD's Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not obviously overpriced relative to its fundamental profile. That said, Attractive valuation does not eliminate risk — the Weak Moat and Risk ratings are important context. View the full valuation metrics with a Pro account.
How does IRWD compare to its competitors?
Ironwood's closest listed peers include Knight Therapeutics, Tilray Brands, and DRI Healthcare Trust — each with distinct business models. Ironwood differentiates through its GI-focused prescription franchise and established pharma partnerships, though its single-product concentration is a notable contrast to more diversified peers.
What is IRWD's market cap bracket?
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals is classified as a small-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that can offer growth potential but typically carries higher volatility and liquidity risk compared to large- or mega-cap peers.
Who founded Ironwood Pharmaceuticals?
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals was incorporated in 1998 under the name Microbia, Inc. and rebranded to its current name in April 2008. Founding details are widely available through public records and the company's own corporate history disclosures.
Is IRWD a long-term quality investment?
From a long-term quality perspective, IRWD's Good UQS Score reflects genuine strengths in earnings quality and growth, balanced against Weak ratings in Moat and Risk. Long-term durability depends heavily on pipeline execution and whether linaclotide maintains its commercial position. Pro members can access the full multi-pillar analysis.
What is the main competitive advantage of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals?
Ironwood's primary advantage is its established linaclotide franchise, supported by strategic partnerships with large pharma companies including AbbVie, AstraZeneca, and Astellas. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating this advantage may not be deeply entrenched relative to sector peers.
What sector does IRWD belong to?
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically within specialty pharmaceuticals focused on gastrointestinal conditions. You can explore other [top Healthcare stocks](/sector/healthcare) rated by UQS Score for broader sector context.
Is IRWD a growth stock or value stock?
IRWD shows characteristics of both. The Growth pillar is rated Good, suggesting meaningful business momentum, while the Valuation pillar is rated Attractive — implying the stock is not priced at a significant premium. This combination may appeal to investors looking for growth at a reasonable price.
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Pro Analysis
IRWD — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | 53.3 | 63.0 | 24.0 | 60.9 | 32.0 | 97.2 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 53.4 | 63.0 | 24.0 | 60.9 | 32.0 | 97.7 | +0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 53.3 | 63.0 | 24.0 | 60.9 | 32.0 | 97.1 | -0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 53.4 | 63.0 | 24.0 | 60.9 | 32.0 | 97.9 | -0.3 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | 53.7 | 63.0 | 24.0 | 60.9 | 32.0 | 100.0 | — |
IRWD — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 83.3/100 (25%)Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 60.9/100 (20%)Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 49.4/100 (15%)Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 100.0/100 (15%)Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 24/100 (25%)Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for IRWD.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the IRWD UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.