Introduction
Teva Neuroscience represents one of the most significant specialized divisions within the global pharmaceutical landscape, operating as a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, this division has emerged as a pioneering force in the development and commercialization of innovative treatments for neurological conditions. The division's focus spans multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, migraine prevention, and psychiatric conditions, positioning it at the intersection of medical innovation and patient-centered care.
For over three decades, Teva Neuroscience has maintained an unwavering commitment to patients living with neurological conditions. What began with the company's first innovative neurological treatment has evolved into a comprehensive portfolio addressing some of the most challenging disorders affecting the central nervous system. Today, the division operates within a global network that includes 3,700 employees working across six research and development hubs worldwide, reflecting the substantial resources dedicated to advancing neuroscience therapeutics.
Historical Development and Corporate Evolution
The story of Teva Neuroscience is inseparable from the broader history of Teva Pharmaceuticals, which traces its origins to 1901 in Ottoman-era Jerusalem. The company that would eventually become the world's largest generic drug manufacturer started as SLE, Ltd., a modest wholesale drug business founded by Chaim Salomon, Moshe Levin, and Yitschak Elstein. In those early days, the company used camels to make deliveries throughout the region.
The modern incarnation of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries took shape on May 1, 1935, when Günther Friedländer, a German pharmacist and botanist who immigrated to Mandatory Palestine, established Teva Middle East Pharmaceutical & Chemical Works Co. Ltd. in Jerusalem. Through decades of growth, mergers, and strategic acquisitions, the company transformed from a regional operation into a multinational pharmaceutical powerhouse.
Teva Neuroscience specifically emerged as a distinct entity in the early 2000s when Teva gained full ownership of Teva-Marion Partners, subsequently renaming it Teva Neuroscience to market innovative products in North America. This strategic move signaled the parent company's commitment to building a dedicated division focused exclusively on neurological therapeutics, recognizing the unique expertise and specialized approach required in this therapeutic area.
Core Product Portfolio
Copaxone: The Foundation of Neuroscience Excellence
Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection) stands as the foundational product that established Teva Neuroscience's credibility in the neurological space. Receiving FDA approval in 1996, Copaxone became a cornerstone treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. The drug is indicated for adults with clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease.
The development of Copaxone represents a remarkable scientific journey spanning more than 50 years. The medication works through an immunomodulatory mechanism, though its exact mode of action is not fully understood. Glatiramer acetate is a combination of acetate salts of four naturally occurring amino acids: L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine, and L-lysine. These amino acids resemble myelin protein surrounding nerve fibers and are thought to act as a decoy, diverting immune system attacks away from the patient's own myelin.
Copaxone is available in two formulations: a 20 mg/mL daily injection and a 40 mg/mL formulation administered three times weekly, with injections spaced at least 48 hours apart. The 40 mg formulation, approved as a supplemental new drug application, offered patients a significant advancement by reducing injection frequency by 60 percent. Preclinical research has demonstrated both remyelination indicative of repair and a significant reduction of demyelination and axonal loss in treated subjects.
The drug's clinical legacy extends across decades, with long-term follow-up studies tracking patients for up to 27 years of continuous treatment. This extensive real-world evidence has contributed to Copaxone's enduring position in the MS treatment landscape, even as newer therapies have entered the market.
Austedo: Transforming Movement Disorder Treatment
Austedo (deutetrabenazine) represents Teva Neuroscience's flagship product in the movement disorders space. Approved by the FDA in 2017, Austedo made history as the first vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor approved for both tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington's disease. This dual indication positioned the drug to address two distinct but related movement disorders affecting hundreds of thousands of patients.
Tardive dyskinesia is a chronic movement disorder characterized by uncontrollable, abnormal, and repetitive movements of the face, torso, and other body parts. The condition affects approximately one in four people who take certain mental health medications, including antipsychotics used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. An estimated 785,000 Americans are living with TD, yet only approximately 15% receive a formal diagnosis and a mere 5% receive treatment.
Huntington's disease chorea refers to involuntary, random, and sudden twisting and writhing movements that represent one of the most striking physical manifestations of Huntington's disease, occurring in approximately 90% of patients. This fatal neurodegenerative disease is characterized by uncoordinated and uncontrollable movements, cognitive deterioration, and behavioral or psychological problems.
In February 2023, Teva achieved a significant milestone with the FDA approval of Austedo XR (deutetrabenazine extended-release tablets), a once-daily formulation available in 6 mg, 12 mg, and 24 mg tablet strengths. This extended-release version offered patients the convenience of a single daily dose that could be taken with or without food, reducing the pill burden for patients already managing multiple medications for underlying conditions. The company subsequently received approval for additional tablet strengths of 30, 36, 42, and 48 mg, providing healthcare providers with the broadest dosing flexibility available.
Clinical trials have demonstrated sustained efficacy for Austedo, with the longest TD clinical trial to date showing rapid symptom control as early as two weeks with sustained results observed through three years of treatment. Real-world data from the IMPACT-TD registry has shown that 87% of patients reported satisfaction with the medication overall, with 74% reporting improvement in their extra movements.
Ajovy: Innovation in Migraine Prevention
Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) represents Teva's entry into the rapidly evolving migraine prevention market. Approved in the United States in 2018, Ajovy is an anti-CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) antagonist that targets the underlying biological mechanisms of migraine. The medication is indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults and, as of August 2025, for episodic migraine prevention in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 who weigh at least 99 pounds.
Migraine causes disabling pain, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivities to light and sound, resulting in serious effects on the ability to complete daily tasks. The condition is the second leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting millions of patients who experience significant impacts on work, school, and quality of life. Children and adolescents with migraine face additional challenges, including absence from school, impaired educational performance, and missed social activities.
Ajovy distinguishes itself in the market by offering both monthly and quarterly dosing options—the only anti-CGRP treatment in the U.S. market with this flexibility. Patients can receive 225 mg once monthly as a single subcutaneous injection or 675 mg every three months administered as three injections. The medication can be administered by a healthcare professional or at home by a patient or caregiver, with no starting dose required to begin treatment.
The final analysis of the pan-European PEARL Phase 4 study, presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress in 2025, demonstrated that Ajovy delivered sustained effectiveness over a two-year period in reducing the frequency, duration, and severity of migraine attacks. Injection adherence remained high throughout the study at approximately 90%, while over 75% of patients completed the full study duration.
Research and Development Strategy
Teva Neuroscience's research and development efforts reflect a strategic focus on addressing unmet needs in neuroscience while expanding into immunology and related therapeutic areas. The company maintains seven medicines for neurological conditions in its pipeline, representing a commitment to continuous innovation in this space.
The R&D organization has undergone significant transformation under the leadership of Dr. Eric Hughes, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Global R&D. Hughes has described the company's evolution as adopting a “biotech mindset” while leveraging the synergies between generic and innovative drug development. This approach recognizes that insights from generics and biosimilars can inform innovation, and vice versa.
Key pipeline assets in neuroscience include TEV-‘749, a long-acting injectable formulation of olanzapine currently in late-stage development for schizophrenia. This candidate addresses the need for long-acting treatment options that may offer improved tolerability compared to existing alternatives. The company is also advancing emrusolmin for multiple system atrophy, a rare neurodegenerative disorder with limited treatment options.
The company's therapeutic focus extends beyond traditional neuroscience into movement disorders, severe mental health conditions, and migraine pain. Specific disease targets include Huntington's disease chorea, tardive dyskinesia, schizophrenia, multiple system atrophy, and Parkinson's disease. This strategic concentration allows the company to build deep expertise in related conditions while pursuing multiple opportunities within the same scientific frameworks.
The Other TD: A Disease Education Campaign
In November 2025, Teva launched “The Other TD,” a comprehensive disease education campaign designed to raise awareness of tardive dyskinesia. The campaign leverages the cultural recognition of football touchdowns (TD) to draw attention to a lesser-known TD—tardive dyskinesia. Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, known for his iconic initials “TD” and his prolific career scoring touchdowns, partnered with Teva to amplify the campaign's reach.
The campaign addresses a critical gap in TD awareness and treatment. Despite affecting an estimated 785,000 Americans, only 15% receive a formal diagnosis and just 5% receive treatment. Younger individuals, men, and racial and ethnic minority groups face particularly low rates of formal diagnosis despite experiencing significant impacts from the movements on all aspects of their lives.
“The Other TD” campaign includes television spots running on linear broadcast, connected TV, and online video, as well as sports influencer videos and social media engagement. The unbranded approach focuses on helping undiagnosed people recognize symptoms and encouraging conversations with healthcare providers. While the campaign itself does not promote specific medications, links to treatment information on the campaign website direct users to information about Austedo.
Davis, who has been open about facing his own mental health challenges, stated that he understood the importance of speaking out and providing support for those encountering similar obstacles. His involvement brings credibility and visibility to a condition that often goes unrecognized even as it significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
Financial Performance and Market Position
Teva Neuroscience's innovative products have become crucial growth drivers for the parent company's overall financial performance. In 2024, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries reported total revenues of $16.5 billion, representing a 6% increase in local currency terms compared to 2023. The innovative product portfolio played a central role in this growth trajectory.
Austedo exceeded $1.6 billion in revenues for 2024, surpassing the company's outlook and reflecting 36% year-over-year growth. The drug's performance has been described as reaching an “inflection point,” driven largely by the approval of the once-daily Austedo XR formulation. Looking ahead, Teva projects Austedo revenues between $1.9 billion and $2.05 billion for 2025, with longer-term projections targeting $2.5 billion by 2027 and a potential peak of $3 billion.
Ajovy generated global annual revenues of $507 million in 2024, representing an 18% increase in local currency terms compared to 2023. The company's outlook for 2025 projects Ajovy revenues between $630 million and $640 million, reflecting continued market share gains in the competitive anti-CGRP market. Ajovy's exit market share in the United States reached 31.0% of the subcutaneous injectable anti-CGRP class in the second quarter of 2025.
The company's schizophrenia treatment Uzedy achieved $117 million in revenues for 2024, exceeding the $100 million outlook. Together, Austedo, Ajovy, and Uzedy generated approximately $2.3 billion in combined sales for 2024. By 2030, Teva expects to achieve at least $5 billion in innovative medicine sales, driven primarily by this trio of neurological and psychiatric products.
Future Outlook and Strategic Direction
Teva Neuroscience's future trajectory is shaped by the broader “Pivot to Growth” strategy implemented by CEO Richard Francis since 2023. This strategic framework emphasizes four pillars: delivering on growth engines, stepping up innovation, maintaining the generics business, and focusing capital allocation toward strategic priorities.
The company's late-stage pipeline includes several assets with blockbuster potential. Duvakitug (TEV-‘574), an anti-TL1A asset being developed in partnership with Sanofi, represents a significant opportunity in immunology. The olanzapine long-acting injectable (TEV-‘749) addresses unmet needs in schizophrenia treatment with a potentially improved tolerability profile.
Expansion into pediatric populations represents another strategic priority. The 2025 FDA approval of Ajovy for pediatric episodic migraine prevention makes it the first CGRP antagonist approved for both adult and pediatric migraine prevention, expanding the drug's addressable market and addressing significant unmet needs in childhood migraine.
Geographic expansion continues with regulatory submissions and approvals in markets including China, Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, Israel, South Korea, and Brazil. The 2020 approval of Austedo in China for both tardive dyskinesia and Huntington's disease chorea opened access to a market with significant patient populations and high unmet need.
Conclusion
Teva Neuroscience has established itself as a global leader in neurological therapeutics through a combination of scientific innovation, patient-centered focus, and strategic commercial execution. From the foundational success of Copaxone in multiple sclerosis to the transformative impact of Austedo in movement disorders and Ajovy in migraine prevention, the division has consistently delivered products that address significant unmet medical needs.
The company's commitment to neuroscience extends beyond commercial products to encompass disease education initiatives like “The Other TD” campaign, recognizing that improving patient outcomes requires not only effective treatments but also increased awareness and diagnosis. With a robust pipeline, expanding geographic presence, and strong financial performance, Teva Neuroscience is positioned to continue its leadership role in neurological therapeutics for years to come.
As the neuroscience landscape evolves with new scientific discoveries and changing patient needs, Teva Neuroscience's combination of deep therapeutic expertise, global infrastructure, and innovative mindset positions the division to remain at the forefront of this critical area of medicine. The company's journey from a Jerusalem wholesale drug business using camels for delivery to a global neuroscience leader represents one of the pharmaceutical industry's most remarkable transformations—and the story continues to unfold.