Teva unveils details of new R&D strategy

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA) said it plans to refocus R&D investment on branded products for CNS and respiratory diseases and on complex and combination generics called new therapeutic entities (NTEs). At an investor day on Tuesday, Teva said it plans to start development next year of 10-15 NTEs, which combine drugs that Teva already markets in an effort to improve compliance, safety or efficacy. Teva said it also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop NTEs for developing countries with a focus on women's health and infectious diseases, but declined to disclose details (see BioCentury, Dec. 10).

As part of its R&D refocusing, Teva discontinued 12 programs, including six that were in Phase II, Phase III or registration. Teva said it will add 18 programs next year, including seven in Phase II and Phase III. Among the new programs are oral and topical formulations of pain product XEN402, which is in Phase II testing for post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). On Tuesday, Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Burnaby, B.C.) granted Teva exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the Nav1.7 (SCN9A) sodium channel blocker. Xenon will receive $41 million up front and is eligible for up to $335 million in milestones, plus royalties. ...