Innovation and Access: How Teva Is Developing the Next Generation of Medicine
As the global healthcare industry navigates an era of rapid innovation, Teva Pharmaceuticals is making significant strides in its own journey of growth, transformation, and technological advancement. By developing innovative medicines for the future while continuing to champion the production of complex generics and biosimilars, Teva is addressing diverse patient needs.
Chris Fox, EVP of US Commercial at Teva, and Eric Hughes, MD, PhD, Teva’s EVP of Global R&D and Chief Medical Officer, joined Endpoints News to discuss how Teva’s diverse portfolio of medicines and innovation impact the lives of patients.
Teva’s unique portfolio of innovative medicines, generics and biosimilars is underpinned by a clear strategy: "Pivot to Growth”. This strategic approach, guided by Teva’s leadership, is fueling the company's path to a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company, enabled by a world-class generics business.
Powering Transformation Through Innovation and Access
Chris Fox believes this is a very exciting time for the company. “We’re transforming Teva and a big part of that starts with our strategy.”
That strategy, she explains, hinges on four core pillars: Delivering on growth engines; Stepping up innovation; Sustaining our generics powerhouse; Focusing our business. “It’s actionable, measurable, and sustainable—both internally and externally,” she adds.
What sets Teva apart, Chris points out, is our ability to operate across a wide spectrum. This gives Teva a unique advantage in both responding to the current needs of patients and anticipating future needs.
“Our generics portfolio is our long-standing heritage, and we are also launching impactful medicines in our innovative portfolio, while ensuring those medicines are accessible”, she explains. “We’re seeking science that meets the demands of today and can be sustainable into the future.”
The company’s focus is clear: innovating within its established portfolio, expanding its promising pipeline, and creating strategic partnerships that fuel growth.
“This (type of) three-legged stool approach to innovative, generics and biosimilars makes us really strong (in) how we balance patient needs,” says Chris.
“On the generics side, we focus on making the right choices and creating treatments that will have the biggest impact on patients. We are strong on complex generics because it's in our wheelhouse… part of our heritage. We can support patients more efficiently and effectively with these sophisticated treatments.”
Biosimilars also play a critical role in Teva’s approach to patient access. As biologics tend to be higher-cost therapies, biosimilars can provide alternative options. “Biosimilars represent an essential part of our portfolio,” she states. “These alternatives can help ensure more patients can access critical therapies.”
Teva’s work in generics and biosimilars has a broad impact: “One out of 12 patients in the U.S. has a Teva prescription bottle in their medicine cabinet. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Clear Measurements of Success
Teva’s recent performance reflects the new strategy in action. The company reported global revenues with year-over-year growth, driven by performance across both innovative and generic medicines. Chris emphasizes the complementary nature of these two areas: “We’re really delivering significant value for shareholders, for the company at large, and, most importantly, for patients.”
Innovation That Meets Unmet Needs
Eric Hughes shares the pride in Teva’s ability to develop medicines that directly address patient needs. As a physician, he sees patient access to effective treatments as a critical focus.
“Teva is driven by patient centricity. Patients will get the medications that can change their quality of life and address unmet medical needs,” he explains.
He is particularly excited about three major programs currently in development: treatments for schizophrenia, asthma, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which are driving innovative growth. These development programs are designed to support patients who may have cycled through multiple treatments or who face adherence challenges with existing therapy formats.
“If we can deliver treatments that help prevent relapses or hospitalizations, or that simplify the treatment process, we can make a real difference,” says Eric.
Teva’s product development efforts also emphasize environmental responsibility and ease of use, which he notes are increasingly important to patients and healthcare providers alike.
Looking Ahead
With a diverse portfolio and patient-focused strategy, Teva is well-positioned to continue driving growth and supporting patient care. By investing across a wide spectrum, the company aims to support patients worldwide.
“We’re just getting started,” Chris Fox says. “We’re already seeing the results of our efforts, and that’s proof that our strategy is working. There’s much more to come.”
For Eric Hughes, the vision is clear: “We will continue to focus on innovation, collaboration, and delivering options that support real-world needs. That’s what drives us every day.”
Read on to explore how Teva is discovering and developing the next generation of medicine through cutting-edge research and innovation, fueled by a thriving company culture and exciting global collaborations
