Teva reports early skin repigmentation data, sets stage for next trial
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is advancing TEV-'408 into a Phase 2b vitiligo trial in Q4 2026 based on positive Phase 1b data showing significant skin repigmentation and a favorable safety profile. The study reported that 75% of evaluable patients saw facial improvement, with 42% achieving F-VASI50. Funding from a $500 million agreement with Royalty Pharma supports the accelerated development of this anti-IL-15 antibody.

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. plans to advance TEV-'408, an investigational anti-interleukin-15 monoclonal antibody, into a Phase 2b study for vitiligo in the fourth quarter of 2026. The decision follows encouraging results from an ongoing Phase 1b, open-label study in adults with active or stable non-segmental vitiligo (NSV), a chronic autoimmune disease causing loss of skin pigmentation. TEV-'408 is designed for convenient quarterly (Q12W) subcutaneous dosing and was well-tolerated with no safety signals observed to date.
Data from the Phase 1b study demonstrated improvements in skin pigmentation. At baseline, 66% of enrolled participants had vitiligo affecting more than 10% of body surface area. At week 24, in evaluable participants, nearly 75% reported improvement in facial vitiligo, with half reporting "much" or "very much" improved. Additionally, 42% achieved F-VASI50 and 21% achieved F-VASI75.
Key Phase 1b Efficacy Results at Week 24
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Facial vitiligo improvement | Nearly 75% of patients |
| F-VASI50 achievement | 42% of patients |
| F-VASI75 achievement | 21% of patients |
| Total body vitiligo improvement | 55% of patients |
| T-VASI50 achievement | 7% of patients |
Richard Francis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teva, stated that TEV-'408 exemplifies the innovative programs the company is prioritizing to strengthen its immunology pipeline. He noted that the program reflects progress in the Pivot to Growth strategy and a commitment to differentiated innovation.
Eric Hughes, Executive Vice President, Global R&D and Chief Medical Officer at Teva, emphasized that the data strengthen confidence in the IL-15 pathway and highlight Teva's scientific expertise. TEV-'408 is also being evaluated for celiac disease in a Phase 2a study and was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. FDA in May 2025. Teva’s agreement with Royalty Pharma provides up to $500 million of strategic R&D funding to accelerate the clinical research program of TEV-'408.
How will TEV-'408 differentiate itself from competing vitiligo treatments currently in late-stage development?
What are the projected peak sales estimates for the vitiligo market upon potential launch in the late 2020s?
Could the positive IL-15 pathway data accelerate the timeline for the ongoing celiac disease program?



























