Teva Pharmaceuticals secures $400M funding from Blackstone Life Sciences to advance duvakitug Phase 3 trials for IBD (UC & CD). TL1A-targeting therapy shows promise in reducing inflammation & fibrosis, learn more about this Pivot to Growth partnership.
Written By: Samiksha Jadhav BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Teva Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. arm of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has inked a $400 million strategic funding deal with funds managed by Blackstone Life Sciences (BXLS). Spanning four years, the investment will fuel the ongoing clinical development of duvakitug, a promising monoclonal antibody targeting TL1A for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
This move aligns with Teva’s “Pivot to Growth” strategy, as highlighted by Executive Vice President of Business Development, Evan Lippman. “By pursuing disciplined, capital-efficient partnerships, we are accelerating pipeline advancement while maintaining financial strength,” Lippman said. BXLS stands to gain regulatory milestones, a U.S. FDA approval payment, and low single-digit royalties on duvakitug’s global sales.
Recent Long-Term Efficacy Data
Building momentum, Sanofi and Teva announced positive results from the RELIEVE UCCD long-term extension (LTE) Phase 2b study (NCT05668013) on February 17, 2026. In this 44-week maintenance phase, duvakitug (450mg or 900mg doses) sustained robust efficacy in UC and CD patients who responded to induction: 58% (900mg) and 47% (450mg) achieved clinical remission in UC per modified Mayo score, while 55% (900mg) and 41% (450mg) hit endoscopic response in CD per SES-CD. Well-tolerated with a safety profile consistent with induction data, these striking durable results over nearly a year likely underpin the timely Blackstone funding, reinforcing duvakitug’s best-in-class potential as Phase 3 trials advance.
Duvakitug builds on a 2023 co-development pact with Sanofi, positioning both companies for potential co-commercialization pending approval. Currently in Phase 3 trials for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), the drug showed clinically meaningful durable efficacy in Phase 2b maintenance data for both conditions. As a human monoclonal antibody, duvakitug blocks TL1A-DR3 signaling key to inflammation and fibrosis in IBD while sparing the decoy receptor DcR3.
“We are excited to partner with Teva and support their innovation priorities as they advance a critical new product to advance a critical new product to patients who have significant unmet need,” noted Dr. Nicholas Galakatos, Global Head of BXLS.
Senior Managing Director Paris Panayiotopoulos added that duvakitug could emerge as a best-in-class therapy in the expanding IBD market.
The Unmet Need in IBD
IBD affects roughly 4.9 million people worldwide, with rising incidence in many regions. Encompassing UC and CD, it triggers chronic GI tract inflammation, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, bleeding, pain, and weight loss. Complications such as fibrosis scar tissue buildup causing narrowing and obstruction underscore the urgency. No cure exists; treatments aim to induce remission and prevent flares.
Reference
Teva and Blackstone Life Sciences Announce $400 Million Strategic Growth Capital Agreement to Advance duvakitug, 03 March 2026, https://www.blackstone.com/news/press/teva-and-blackstone-life-sciences-announce-400-million-strategic-growth-capital-agreement-to-advance-duvakitug/
Teva and Blackstone Life Sciences Announce $400 Million Strategic Growth Capital Agreement to Advance duvakitug 03 March 2026, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. – Teva and Blackstone Life Sciences Announce $400 Million Strategic Growth Capital Agreement to Advance duvakitug
About Writer
Samiksha Vikram Jadhav, B.Pharm
She is a pharmacy graduate with a keen interest in clinical research, pharmacovigilance, and medical writing, with a growing focus on publication and scientific content development. In her words, she is passionate about translating complex medical data into clear, evidence-based communication.