Teva And Blackstone Life Sciences Sign $400M Deal To Advance Phase 3 TL1A Antibody Duvakitug

Teva Pharmaceuticals and funds managed by Blackstone Life Sciences (BXLS) have entered into a $400 million strategic funding agreement to advance the clinical development of duvakitug over the next four years. Under the deal, BXLS will also be eligible to receive regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as royalties on global sales of the therapy.

“Today’s announcement highlights how we are turning strategy into action under Pivot to Growth,” said Evan Lippman, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Teva. “By pursuing disciplined, capital-efficient partnerships, we are accelerating pipeline advancement while maintaining financial strength. This is the model we will continue using to build a more innovative, resilient, and growth-oriented Teva.”

Duvakitug is a human monoclonal antibody targeting TL1A, a pathway with broad potential across inflammatory diseases. Teva is co-developing the asset and, pending regulatory approval, plans to co-commercialise it with Sanofi under a separate 2023 agreement. The drug is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 trials for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), following positive Phase 2b maintenance data showing durable clinical efficacy in both indications.

“We are excited to partner with Teva and support their innovation priorities as they advance a critical new product to patients who have significant unmet needs,” said Dr Nicholas Galakatos, Global Head of BXLS. “This transaction further demonstrates our focus on partnering with leading biopharmaceutical companies to execute their growth initiatives.”

As part of the financing terms, BXLS will provide Teva with $400 million in staged payments to cover ongoing and future development expenses. If duvakitug receives approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Teva will make a regulatory milestone payment to BXLS.

“Duvakitug has the potential to be a best-in-class therapy in a large and growing space, and the Teva and Sanofi teams are well-positioned to develop and commercialise this important medicine,” said Paris Panayiotopoulos, Senior Managing Director, BXLS. “In line with our mission, we are delighted to partner with Teva on their Pivot to Growth strategy and to help bring duvakitug to patients as soon as possible.”

In addition, BXLS will qualify for further commercial milestone payments and low single-digit royalties on worldwide net sales of duvakitug, subject to standard conditions. The agreement strengthens Teva’s ability to progress late-stage development while sharing financial risk with a strategic investor.