Roivant’s Anti-Inflammatory Med Shows Promise in Phase 2 Trial for Non-Anterior Non-Infectious Uveitis

1. Roivant, a biotech company, announced that its subsidiary Priovant Therapeutics achieved positive results in a mid-stage trial for the drug brepocitinib, which targets TYK2 and JAK1 receptors.
2. The experimental drug demonstrated a meaningfully lower rate of "treatment failure" compared to placebo in patients with non-anterior non-infectious uveitis, an eye condition that can lead to blindness.
3. The study results surpassed those seen with the currently approved treatment, AbbVie's Humira (adalimumab), based on comparable primary endpoints.
4. A Phase 3 study for NIU is expected to begin in the second half of 2024.
5. Concurrently, Roivant announced a $1.5 billion stock buyback initiative, including buying out Sumitomo Pharma’s entire stake in Roivant for $648 million.
6. Brepocitinib is also being tested in a Phase 3 study for dermatomyositis, with results anticipated in 2025.