Teva and Sanofi Present New Positive Phase 2b Study Results at ECCO 2025 Reinforcing Best-in-Class Potential of Duvakitug (Anti-TL1A) in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease

Rhea-AI Summary

Teva Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi presented new Phase 2b study results for duvakitug, their antibody treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). In UC patients, duvakitug achieved clinical remission in 36% (450mg) and 48% (900mg) of cases versus 20% for placebo at week 14. For CD patients, endoscopic response was achieved in 26% (450mg) and 48% (900mg) compared to 13% on placebo.

The drug showed positive results in both advanced therapy-experienced and therapy-naïve patients across multiple endpoints. In UC, clinical response rates reached up to 81% (450mg), while CD patients showed endoscopic remission rates up to 26% (900mg). The treatment was generally well tolerated with no emergent safety signals. Phase 3 trials are anticipated to start in H2 2025.

Positive

• Strong clinical remission rates in UC patients (48% at 900mg vs 20% placebo)
• High endoscopic response in CD patients (48% at 900mg vs 13% placebo)
• Favorable safety profile with no emergent safety signals
• Effective in both therapy-experienced and therapy-naïve patients
• Clinical response rates up to 81% in UC patients

Negative

• Lower dose (450mg) showed less impressive results in CD patients (26% vs 48% at 900mg)
• Phase 3 trials not starting until H2 2025, indicating longer time to potential market

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The Phase 2b RELIEVE UCCD study results reveal duvakitug's exceptional potential in inflammatory bowel disease treatment through its novel TL1A inhibition mechanism. The 48% clinical remission rate achieved at the 900mg dose in ulcerative colitis represents a 27% placebo-adjusted improvement, a remarkably strong showing for a Phase 2b study in this indication.

Several aspects of these results are particularly compelling from a clinical perspective. The drug demonstrated efficacy across both treatment-naive and experienced patients, suggesting broad applicability across the patient spectrum. The achievement of both clinical and endoscopic improvements is crucial, as endoscopic healing is increasingly recognized as a key predictor of long-term outcomes in IBD.

The histological-endoscopic mucosal improvement (HEMI) rates of 30-33% are especially noteworthy, as this composite endpoint represents a more stringent measure of disease modification than traditional endpoints. This suggests duvakitug may offer deeper levels of disease control than currently available treatments.

In Crohn's disease, the 48% endoscopic response rate at the 900mg dose is particularly impressive given the historical difficulty in achieving endoscopic improvements in CD. The corresponding clinical remission rates of 50-54% across both doses suggest robust symptom control alongside objective disease improvement.

The clean safety profile, with no dose-dependent adverse events or concerning safety signals, positions duvakitug favorably against existing advanced therapies, many of which carry significant safety concerns. This combination of efficacy and safety could potentially position duvakitug as a first-line advanced therapy option, particularly if confirmed in Phase 3 trials.

Looking ahead to the planned Phase 3 program in H2 2025, these results provide strong justification for advancing the 900mg dose, which showed superior efficacy across most endpoints. The consistent performance across various subgroups and endpoints suggests a robust therapeutic effect that bodes well for larger-scale trials.

Teva hosting investor call Monday, February 24 at 8:00 a.m. U.S. ET

• New detailed data from the RELIEVE UCCD study support overall efficacy and safety of duvakitug in all pre-specified subgroups across the different doses
• New endpoints presented include findings on clinical and endoscopic outcomes and histological- endoscopic mucosal improvement
• Findings to form the basis for a Phase 3 program, anticipated to start in H2 2025
  

PARSIPPANY, N.J. and PARIS, Feb. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teva Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA), and Sanofi today presented new, detailed results from the RELIEVE UCCD Phase 2b study of duvakitug (TEV’574/SAR447189), a human IgG1-λ2 monoclonal antibody targeting TL1A, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These results were shared in two oral presentations at the 20th Congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) in Berlin, Germany.^{1, 4}

Ulcerative colitis

In the UC cohort of the RELIEVE UCCD study, 36% (450 mg dose) and 48% (900 mg dose) of patients treated with duvakitug achieved the primary endpoint of clinical remission (mMS)* at week 14 compared to 20% treated with placebo; placebo-adjusted rates were 16% (450 mg) and 27% (900 mg) (p=0.050 and 0.003, respectively)^.1-3

In addition, higher clinical remission rates were observed for both doses of duvakitug versus placebo in both advanced therapy (AT)-experienced and AT-naïve subgroups of patients.

• AT-experienced: 29% (450 mg) and 36% (900 mg), with placebo-adjusted rates of 22% (450 mg) and 29% (900 mg).
• AT-naïve: 39% (450 mg) and 53% (900 mg), with placebo-adjusted rates of 12% (450 mg) and 26% (900 mg).^1-3

Additional endpoints observed*:

• Clinical response (mMS): 81% (450 mg) and 70% (900 mg) compared to 52% treated with placebo.
• Endoscopic improvement (MES): 45% (450 mg) and 50% (900 mg) compared to 23% treated with placebo.
• Histological-endoscopic mucosal improvement (HEMI): 30% (450 mg) and 33% (900 mg) compared to 16% treated with placebo.^1-3
  

“Patients, many of whom have spent years in a recurring cycle of remission and relapse, have been waiting a long time for better options in treating ulcerative colitis. We’re highly encouraged by the significant treatment response, compared to placebo seen in the study, both in advanced therapy naïve-and experienced patients,” said Walter Reinisch, MD, PhD, Medical University of Vienna, and lead investigator of the RELIEVE UCCD study. “With this potential of duvakitug to reduce inflammation, we could truly transform treatment for patients with IBD in a safe manner.”

Crohn’s disease

In the CD cohort of the RELIEVE UCCD study, 26% (450 mg) and 48% (900 mg) of patients with CD treated with duvakitug achieved the primary endpoint of endoscopic response (SES-CD)* compared to 13% on placebo; placebo-adjusted rates were 13% (450 mg) and 35% (900 mg) at week 14 (p=0.058 and <0.001, respectively).

In addition, higher endoscopic response rates were observed for both doses of duvakitug versus placebo in both AT-experienced and -naïve subgroups of patients.

• AT-experienced: 11% (450 mg) and 48% (900 mg), with placebo-adjusted rates of 7% (450 mg) and 44% (900 mg).
• AT-naïve: 47% (450 mg) and 47% (900 mg), with placebo-adjusted rates of 25% (450 mg) and 25% (900 mg).^2-4

Additional endpoints observed:

• Endoscopic remission (SES-CD): 17% (450 mg) and 26% (900 mg) compared to 9% treated with placebo.
• Clinical remission (CDAI): 50% (450 mg) and 54% (900 mg) compared to 41% treated with placebo.
• Clinical response (CDAI): 61% (450 mg) and 62% (900 mg) compared to 41% treated with placebo.
• Clinical response (PRO2): 50% (450 mg) and 53% (900 mg) compared to 29% treated with placebo.^2-4

“Every day, I see patients with Crohn’s disease who continue to suffer from the often-severe symptoms of the disease despite available treatments,” said Vipul Jairath, MBChB, DPhil, FRCP, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine in the Departments of Medicine, Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University, and lead investigator of the RELIEVE UCCD study. “The endoscopic response rates seen in this study support the potential of duvakitug as an effective new option for these who are in desperate need of relief.”

RELIEVE UCCD safety data summary

In both the UC and CD cohorts, duvakitug was generally well tolerated with no emergent safety signals observed.^1-4 No dose dependent or adverse event (AE) pattern was observed for treatment-related AEs, serious adverse events (SAEs), AEs leading to discontinuation or adverse events of special interest (AESIs).

Duvakitug is currently under clinical investigation, and its efficacy and safety have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.

Teva Investor Call
Teva will hold an investor call and live webcast on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. ET. During the conference call, Eric Hughes, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President of Global R&D and Chief Medical Officer, and external IBD key opinion leaders (KOLs) will discuss new data presented for duvakitug (Anti-TL1A) positive Phase 2b results at the 20th Annual Congress of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO). In order to participate, please register in advance here to obtain a local or toll-free phone number and your personal pin. A live webcast of the call will also be available on Teva's website at: https://ir.tevapharm.com/Events-and-Presentations. Following the conclusion of the call, a replay of the webcast will be available within 24 hours on Teva's website.

About Inflammatory Bowel Disease  

UC and CD, the two main types of IBD, are chronic inflammatory conditions of the GI tract resulting in debilitating and persistent symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fatigue and weight loss.^5,6 Prolonged inflammation can lead to damage within the GI tract, including fibrosis, a common complication of IBD characterized by an accumulation of scar tissue in the intestinal wall, which may cause narrowing and obstruction often requiring hospitalization and surgery. There is currently no cure for IBD – the goal of treatment is to induce and maintain remission and prevent flares.⁷ 

About the RELIEVE UCCD Phase 2b Study

RELIEVE UCCD was a 14-week Phase 2b, randomized, double-blinded, dose-ranging study to determine the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability of duvakitug in adults with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD). The study was an innovative and efficient basket study design allowing the inclusion of patients with either type UC and CD. It is also the first and only randomized, blinded and placebo-controlled Phase 2 study to investigate the impact of TL1A in CD.

In the study, patients who met pre-specified inclusion criteria were randomized to receive one of two duvakitug doses or placebo, administered every two weeks subcutaneously, in a 1:1:1 ratio for each indication (UC or CD) stratified by previous exposure to advanced IBD therapies [yes (either biologics/small molecule) or no] for 14 weeks. The UC cohort comprised adults with moderately to severely active disease with inadequate response, loss of response or intolerance to previous conventional and/or advanced therapies (ATs). The CD cohort comprised adults with moderately to severely active disease with documented inadequate response, loss of response or intolerance to conventional and/or advanced therapies (ATs).

Primary efficacy endpoints are the number of participants who show clinical remission (as defined by the modified Mayo score) in the UC cohort or the number of participants who show endoscopic response (as defined by the SES-CD endoscopic score for CD) in the CD cohort. The study includes sites in the U.S., Europe, Israel, and Asia.^2,3

About Duvakitug

Duvakitug is a potential best-in-class human IgG1-λ2 monoclonal antibody that targets tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like ligand 1A (TL1A), also known as TNF superfamily member 15 (TNFSF15). TL1A signaling is believed to amplify inflammation and drive fibrosis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) through binding its receptor, death receptor 3 (DR3).

Duvakitug is uniquely designed to inhibit preferentially TL1A signaling via DR3, with the potential advantage of reduced TL1A-DcR3 inhibition.⁸

Duvakitug is currently in a Phase 2b clinical study for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), the two most common types of IBD. The safety and efficacy of duvakitug have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority.

About the Teva and Sanofi Collaboration

Teva and Sanofi are collaborating to co-develop and co-commercialize Teva’s duvakitug for the treatment of UC and CD. Each company will equally share the development costs globally, and the net profits and losses in major markets, with other markets subject to a royalty arrangement. Sanofi will lead the Phase 3 clinical development program. Teva will lead commercialization of the product in Europe, Israel and specified other countries, and Sanofi will lead commercialization in North America, Japan, other parts of Asia and the rest of the world.

About Teva

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) is a different kind of global pharmaceutical leader, one that operates across the full spectrum of innovation to reliably deliver medicines to patients worldwide. For over 120 years, Teva’s commitment to bettering health has never wavered. Today, the company’s global network of capabilities enables its 37,000 employees across 57 markets to advance health by developing medicines for the future while championing the production of generics and biologics. If patients have a need, we’re already working to address it. To learn more about how Teva is all in for better health, visit www.tevapharm.com. ​ 

About Sanofi

We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across the world, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions. Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to: our ability to successfully develop duvakitug (Anti-TL1A) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), including to proceed to Phase 3 study and obtain required regulatory approvals; our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace, including our ability to develop and commercialize additional pharmaceutical products; our ability to successfully execute our Pivot to Growth strategy, including to expand our innovative and biosimilar medicines pipeline and profitably commercialize the innovative medicines and biosimilar portfolio, whether organically or through business development, and to sustain and focus our portfolio of generic medicines; the effectiveness of our patents and other measures to protect our intellectual property rights; and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, including in the sections captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-looking Statements.” Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

*P-values reported are one-sided at a significance level of 0.10.
mMS = modified Mayo Score; MES = Mayo Endoscopic Subscore; HEMI = Histological-Endoscopic Mucosal Improvement; SES-CD = Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease; CDAI = Crohn’s Disease Activity Index; PRO2 = 2-item Patient-Reported Outcome
_____________________

1. Reinisch, W., Stepek, D., Kempinski, R., Danese, S., Sands, B.E., Ratiu-Duma, B., Singh, R., Barkay, H., Raphael, G., Jairath, V. (2025, February 19-22). Duvakitug (TEV-48574), an anti-TL1A monoclonal antibody, demonstrates efficacy and favourable safety as an induction treatment in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis: Results from a phase 2b, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, basket trial (RELIEVE UCCD) [Presentation OP40]. ECCO 2025, Berlin, Germany.
2. A Study to Evaluate the Long-Term Effect of TEV-48574 in Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05668013?term=TEV-48574&rank=1. Accessed February 2025.
3. A Study to Test the Effect of TEV-48574 in Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease (RELIEVE UCCD) https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05499130?term=TEV-48574&rank=2. Accessed February 2025.
4. Jairath, V., Kierkuś, J., Duvall, G.A., Danese, S. Sands, B.E., Ratiu-Duma, B., Singh, R., Barkay, H., Raphael, G., Reinisch, W. (2025, February 19-22). Duvakitug (TEV-48574), an anti-TL1a monoclonal antibody, demonstrates efficacy and favourable safety as an induction treatment in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease: results from a phase 2b, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-ranging, basket trial (RELIEVE UCCD) [Presentation OP41]. ECCO 2025, Berlin, Germany.
5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Basics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/ibd/what-is-IBD.html. Accessed February 2025.
6. Ulcerative Colitis Basics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/about/ulcerative-colitis-uc-basics.html. Accessed February 2025.
7. McDowell, C., Farooq, U., & Haseeb, M. (2020). Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470312/. Accessed February 2025.
8. Clarke AW, et al. MAbs 2018;10(4):664-677. 2. Angeles T, et al. UEGW.

FAQ

What are the clinical remission rates for TEVA's duvakitug in ulcerative colitis?

In the Phase 2b study, duvakitug achieved clinical remission rates of 36% (450mg) and 48% (900mg) compared to 20% for placebo at week 14.

How effective is TEVA's duvakitug in treating Crohn's disease?

Duvakitug showed endoscopic response rates of 26% (450mg) and 48% (900mg) compared to 13% for placebo in Crohn's disease patients.

When will TEVA begin Phase 3 trials for duvakitug?

Teva anticipates starting Phase 3 trials for duvakitug in the second half of 2025.

What is the safety profile of TEVA's duvakitug in Phase 2b trials?

Duvakitug was generally well tolerated with no emergent safety signals observed in both UC and CD patients.

How does TEVA's duvakitug perform in therapy-experienced patients?

In advanced therapy-experienced patients, duvakitug showed clinical remission rates of 29% (450mg) and 36% (900mg) in UC, and endoscopic response rates of 11% (450mg) and 48% (900mg) in CD.