Teva and Regeneron partner in $250m deal

Teva and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have combined to develop and commercialise fasinumab, a novel nerve growth factor (NGF) antibody.

The deal, which was announced on Tuesday, September 20, will see Teva pay Regeneron $250 million, as well as ongoing research and development costs of approximately $1 billion.

Fasinumab is Regeneron’s investigational NGF antibody in phase 3 clinical development for osteoarthritis pain and in phase 2 development for chronic low back pain.

Regeneron will develop it globally, and the companies will share US commercialisation efforts and split profit equally there.

In other countries, with the exception of those covered by a previously announced collaboration between Regeneron and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Teva will be responsible for development and commercialisation.

Mitsubishi has exclusive development and commercial rights to fasinumab in Japan, Korea and nine other Asian countries.

Rob Koremans, president and CEO of global specialty medicines for Teva, said: “This is a significant transaction for Teva, and we look forward to our collaboration with Regeneron, a leader in the research and development of innovative biologics, which aligns with our overall corporate strategy.

“With our commercial footprint, we will be able to widely educate healthcare providers about this new treatment option when it becomes available,” he added.

George Yancopoulos, chief scientific officer at Regeneron, said: “The development of novel pain medicines, such as fasinumab, can be one important step in combating the growing opioid epidemic.

“Fasinumab represents the culmination of more than 25 years of Regeneron scientific work in neurotrophic factors. We look forward to working with Teva … to advance this programme for patients in need.”