Teva will acquire Emalex to add ecopipam, a late-stage pediatric Tourette syndrome candidate, ahead of a planned 2026 filing.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries agreed to acquire Emalex Biosciences in a deal valued at $900 million.
The acquisition centers on Ecopipam, an investigational treatment for pediatric Tourette syndrome that the companies expect to be ready for a new drug application filing in the second half of 2026.1
“This is a prime example of our Pivot to Growth strategy in action, advancing focused, capital-efficient agreements that expand our late-stage innovative pipeline and commercial portfolio, while delivering on our unrelenting commitment to patients,” said Richard Francis, president and chief executive officer of Teva. “
Ecopipam is a selective dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, a mechanism distinct from currently approved Tourette syndrome medicines, which primarily act on dopamine D2 receptors.1 The differentiation holds potential to matter clinically if the product ultimately reaches market with a safety and efficacy profile that supports use in children who need alternatives to existing pharmacologic approaches.
Tourette syndrome is a childhood-onset neurodevelopment disorder marked by motor and vocal tics, often beginning between ages 5 and 10. Current U.S. treatment relies on a combination of behavioral therapy and medicines, either on-label or off-label, including antipsychotic agents and alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, depending on tic severity and comorbidities.2,3
Ecopipam has already received orphan drug and fast track designations from FDA for pediatric Tourette syndrome.1
There is a real unmet need in Tourette syndrome, and families deserve additional options that can help manage symptoms while minimizing side effects. With our deep neuroscience expertise, we are well-positioned to advance this first-in-class investigational compound,” said Francis.
According to the companies, Ecopipam met the primary efficacy endpoint in a Phase III Tourette syndrome study in children, showing a statistically significant difference versus placebo on time to relapse after randomization, with a reported P value of .0084.1 The announcement characterizes the program as registration-ready and says a new drug application submission is anticipated in the second half of 2026.1
Safety details note that Ecopipam was generally well tolerated, with the companies saying the most common adverse events included somnolence at 10.2%, insomnia at 7.4%, anxiety at 6.0%, fatigue at 5.6%, and headache at 5.1%.1
The results are relevant for both clinicians and commercial decision-makers, as modest differences in adverse-event burden can influence adherence, caregiver acceptance, and payer positioning particularly in pediatric populations.2,3
Under the terms of the agreement, Teva is set to pay $700 million upfront to acquire Emalex, with an additional $200 million tied to future commercial milestones, along with royalties on global net sales of the lead asset, Ecopipam.1
The transaction is expected to close by the third quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary conditions.
Teva says it plans to fund the upfront payment with cash on hand. For the industry, the deal underscores how late-stage central nervous system assets with regulatory designations can attract acquisition interest even in narrower indications, provided they offer a potentially differentiated profile and a near-term filing path.
Eric Messner, chief executive officer of Emalex, said, “This moment reflects years of focused work to advance a first-in-class therapy for patients with Tourette syndrome who need better options. I’m deeply grateful to the Emalex team for the rigor and urgency they’ve brought to this program, and to the patients, families, and investigators who made this progress possible. Teva’s global scale and neuroscience leadership position will help Ecopipam reach patients as quickly and broadly as possible, which is our goal.”1
