Telavant

History

2023: Roche bought Telavant for $7 billion

On July 13, 2023, it became known that the biotechnology company Roivant Sciences entered into an agreement to sell Roche an experimental drug to the pharmaceutical corporation for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The transaction amount is approximately $7 billion.

According to the agreement, Roche will acquire Telavant, a joint venture between Pfizer and Roivant Sciences, created to develop the experimental drug RVT-3101. This drug is a fully human monoclonal antibody. The agent targets both inflammatory and fibrous processes by inhibiting the TL1A protein. In January 2023, Roivant Sciences reported that 32% of patients participating in the RVT-3101 study achieved clinical remission. In particular, the drug showed a decrease in inflammation and ulcers in the colon compared to placebo.

Roche bought a developer of a drug for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases for $7 billion

In all doses and groups of patients, the RVT-3101 was well tolerated and showed a favorable safety profile, the report said.

Pfizer owns 25% of Televant's securities and has the right to sell the drug in a number of regions. How Pfizer's role in distributing RVT-3101 after the deal closes may change has not been reported. After the asset transfer, Roche will be able to strengthen its position in the drug market for patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. This is a chronic inflammatory ulcer disease of the lining of the colon, most often manifested by diarrhea with blood secretions. A long-term prognosis is characterized by an increased risk of colon cancer. The disease has manifestations from other organs and tissues: these are, in particular, rashes on the skin, ulcers in the oral cavity, cutting in the eyes, etc.^[1]

Notes