Efficacy Study in Removing Excess Iron From the Heart

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of thalassemia major as confirmed by laboratory and clinical criteria * Participants who are well transfused-maintaining a mean pre-transfusion Hb (hemoglobin) no less than 9 g/dL. * Between 18 and 36 years of age. * Receiving ongoing chelation therapy with deferoxamine for at least the past five years. Those who have been exposed to deferiprone for ≤ 6 months but not within the last 2 years prior to commencement of this study will be considered eligible to participate. * Abnormal heart MRI T2\* greater than or equal to 8 ms and \< 20 ms. * If female, fertile, and is neither pregnant nor lactating, confirms she will use an effective method of contraception for the length of the trial and has a negative pregnancy test immediately prior to commencement of study drug OR has had a tubal ligation OR a hysterectomy OR is post menopausal (at least 1 year no menses prior to enrollment in the study) OR their only sexual partner has been sterilized (if male). * If male and fertile, he confirms that he and/or his partner will use an effective method of contraception for the length of the trial. * Provide a signed and witnessed written informed consent obtained prior to the first study intervention. Exclusion Criteria: * Have anemia other than thalassemia. * HIV antibody positive. * Clinical evidence of cardiomyopathy as shown by LV Shortening Fraction \< 30 % and/or CMR derived LV (left ventricular) Ejection Fraction \< 56 %. * Severe/significant ar…