Roche announced this week that it will be acquiring Telavant, a subsidiary of Roivant Sciences and Pfizer, bringing with it promising bowel disease candidate RVT-3101.
The deal, which had been teased a few months ago by WSJ, includes a $7.1 billion upfront payment and a near-term milestone payment of $150 million. Upon completion, Roche will take full control of the development, production, and marketing of RVT-3101 in the US and Japan, pending clinical and regulatory success. Roche also intents to initiate a global phase 3 trial for the treatment.
The drug targets both inflammatory and fibrotic pathways by inhibiting TL1A, making it a promising candidate for various diseases. Initially discovered by Pfizer and developed by Telavant, RVT-3101 underwent a phase 2 study in 50 patients and a larger global phase 2b study (TUSCANY-2) in 245 adult participants with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Data showed showed positive results, with ongoing studies in Crohn's disease.
Last year, Pfizer and Roivant entered into a partnership to establish Telavant, who would be responsible for the development and commercialization of RVT-3101. Following the transaction, Roche also gains an option to collaborate with Pfizer on a next-generation p40/TL1A directed bispecific antibody, currently in phase 1. Pfizer retains commercialization rights for regions outside the US and Japan.
