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ECCO 2025: new duvakitug data reinforce best-in-class potential in ulcerative colitis and Crohn s disease
Paris and Parsippany, NJ, February 22, 2025. Sanofi and Teva Pharmaceuticals, a US affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
Ltd., today presented new, detailed results from the RELIEVE UCCD phase 2b study of duvakitug, a human IgG1- 2 monoclonal antibody targeting TL1A, in
patients with 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.
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 dose) and 27% (900 mg dose) (p=0.050 and 0.003, respectively).
In addition, higher clinical remission rates were observed for both doses of duvakitug versus placebo in both advanced therapy (AT) -experienced and AT-na ve subgroups of patients.
Additional endpoints observed*:
Walter Reinisch, MD, PhD,
Medical University of Vienna, and lead investigator of the RELIEVE UCCD study
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 na ve-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
In the CD cohort of the RELIEVE UCCD study, 26% (450 mg dose) and 48% (900 mg dose) of patients treated with duvakitug achieved the primary endpoint of
endoscopic response (SES-CD)* compared to 13% on placebo; placebo-adjusted rates were 13% (450 mg dose) and 35% (900 mg dose) 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 AT-na ve subgroups of patients.
Additional endpoints observed*:
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
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 those 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. 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.
About inflammatory bowel disease
UC and CD, the two main types of IBD, are chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract resulting in debilitating and persistent
symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fatigue and weight loss. 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.
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 UC or 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 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 (AT).
The CD cohort comprised adults with moderately to severely active disease with documented inadequate response, loss of response or intolerance to conventional and/or ATs.
Primary efficacy endpoints are the number of participants who showed clinical remission (as defined by
the modified Mayo score) in the UC cohort or the number of participants who showed endoscopic response (as defined by the SES-CD endoscopic score for CD) in the CD cohort. The study included sites in the US,
Europe, Israel, and Asia.
Duvakitug is a potential best-in-class human IgG1- 2 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 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.
Duvakitug is currently in a
phase 2b clinical study for the treatment of UC and 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.
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.
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:
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