Teva purchases rights to Huntington disease drug

Teva has purchase all rights, assets and obligations associated with an innovative new therapy for Huntington disease.

The company is paying $26 million (16.1 million pounds) to NeuroSearch AS to acquire Huntexil, a symptomatic treatment for hand movement, balance and gait disturbances associated with the condition.

Previous clinical trials in the US, Europe and Canada showed that the investigational compound is able to deliver improvements in each of these areas, while avoiding side effects such as sedation and depression.

Teva believes the promise it has shown in its development thus far is evidence enough that Huntexil merits further scrutiny in late-stage clinical studies.

Dr Michael Hayden, president of global research and development and chief scientific officer of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, said: "This promising development for Teva is just one example of our covenant with patients to develop medicines to improve their quality of life all around the world."

Earlier this month, the company announced the UK launch of generic Irbesartan tablets, an off-label version of the essential hypertension and renal disease treatment Aprovel.