Don Tracy, Associate Editor

Collaboration aims to leverage Nhwa’s expertise in the country’s neuro-psychiatric health sector.

Today, Teva announced that it has entered into a collaboration with Nhwa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd with the goal of providing easier access to Teva’s drug Austedo in China. Austedo focuses on the treatment of neurodegenerative and movement disorders, particularly chorea associated with Huntington disease (HD) and tardive dyskinesia (TD) in adults. According to Teva, the partnership is a part of its goal of expanding the medication as a global brand, as it earned approximately over $1.2 billion in profits last year.
Further, Teva reported that Austedo is the first deuterated drug to be approved in China. Deuteration involves replacing hydrogen atoms with deuterium, which can slow down the drug’s metabolism, allowing for less frequent dosing and potentially improving patient compliance.1
“We are committed to addressing the pressing needs of patients in China with more innovative medicines, in line with our commitment throughout our International Markets region and across the globe,” said Mark Sabag, EVP, head, international markets, Teva, in a press release. “This partnership assists us with further growing Austedo as a global leading brand, with over $1.2 billion in revenues in 2023, and to deliver on Teva’s Pivot to Growth strategy and providing better health for our patients.”
Last year, Teva announced that the FDA approved an extended-release tablet form of the medication, resulting in a once-daily formulation, an upgrade from the previously marketed twice-daily. Showing the same level of therapeutic support as the twice-daily, it was released in three extended-release tablet strengths of 6 mg, 12 mg, and 24 mg.2,3
“The approval of Austedo XR is a reflection of our ongoing innovation for people living with TD and HD chorea,” said Eric Hughes, MD, PhD, EVP of R&D, chief medical officer, Teva, in an earlier release. “For some patients living with TD and HD, treatment adherence can be a challenge that this new once-daily dosing option can help to address.”
Austedo was first approved by the FDA for the treatment of HD in 2017, based on positive results from a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III trial to assess the safety and efficacy of the medication in reducing chorea in patients with the disease. Previously, it was granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA.4
“Chorea associated with Huntington’s disease has a significant impact on those living with the disease and their families,” said Louise Vetter, CEO, Huntington’s Disease Society of America. “The FDA’s approval of Austedo represents an important new treatment option for people with HD and highlights the need for more therapeutic resources for this underserved patient community.”