Sanofi and Teva's TL1A antibody duvakitug holds up through 44 weeks in IBD

Sanofi and Teva have released maintenance data for duvakitug, their jointly developed anti-TL1A monoclonal antibody, in moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The results from the RELIEVE UCCD long-term extension were presented at UEG Week 2026 in Barcelona on 20 October.

What the study looked at

The extension enrolled 130 patients (72 with UC and 58 with CD) who had responded during the induction phase. They were re-randomised to one of two subcutaneous doses, 450 mg or 900 mg every four weeks, giving up to 58 weeks of total treatment. The companies present the figures descriptively, and the confidence intervals between doses overlap.

The numbers at week 44

In UC, clinical remission was 47% on the lower dose and 58% on the higher dose, with clinical response of 82% and 87%. Endoscopic improvement reached 59% and 63%.

In CD, clinical remission by CDAI was 81% and 84%, and clinical response was 81% and 87%. Endoscopic response, a tougher bar in Crohn's, came in at 41% and 55%.

Safety looked consistent with the induction study. Discontinuations because of adverse events were 4% and 2% in the UC arms and 6% in each CD arm, according to the release.

"The efficacy rates seen with duvakitug in the maintenance period highlight its potential as a new treatment option that could help more patients achieve sustained remission." Vipul Jairath, MBChB, DPhil, Western University, co-lead investigator

Where the programme goes next

Duvakitug is already in Phase 3. The SUNSCAPE-1 and SUNSCAPE-2 studies are testing it in UC, while STARSCAPE-1 and STARSCAPE-2 cover CD. The partners are also running a Phase 2 study in hidradenitis suppurativa and plan another in fibrostenotic Crohn's, as BiopharmaWatch sets out. Biomarker data from the earlier induction study suggested lower activity across several inflammatory pathways and, in CD, reduced markers of tissue remodelling, which the companies see as support for a possible role in fibrosis.

Teva and Sanofi split development costs and profits equally in major markets. No regulator has yet assessed the drug.

The bigger picture

This was a crowded UEG Week for oral and injectable IBD drugs, with Gilead's emvistegrast also reporting a Phase 2 win. TL1A has become one of the most competitive new mechanisms in inflammation, and durability data like these are what payers and prescribers will look at once several options reach the market.