Theravance Discontinues JAK Inhibitor Program and Cuts 17% of Workforce

Theravance Biopharma, based in Dublin and the Bay area, is discontinuing research activities for its inhaled Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor program in lung inflammation and reducing its headcount by approximately 17% as part of an effort to sharpen the company’s focus and to create shareholder value.
 
These reductions are planned for completion by end of March 2023. Theravance plans to seek a partnership to continue progression of its inhaled JAK inhibitor program.
 
Strategic actions also include prioritizing R&D resources toward its ampreloxetine Phase 3 study and completion of the YUPELRI PIFR-2 study.
 
Theravance will focus on commercialized and tangible assets rather than pipeline candidates and clinical trials. These include its chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) drug Yupelri (revefenacin) and milestones and royalties from Yupelri and Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate-umeclidinium-vilanterol), a steroid inhaler for COPD and asthma developed with GSK.
 
Ampreloxetine is an investigational norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor currently in Phase III studies for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH)
 
In September 2021, Theravance cut 270 employees, 75% of its workforce, after ampreloxetine missed its Phase III endpoint in nOH.
 
In April 2022, ampreloxetine demonstrated mixed results when it did not improve treatment failure rates in the overall study population of a Phase III trial, however significant benefit was seen in patients with multiple system atrophy. Theravance has since narrowed the focus of ampreloxetine to patients with MSA.
 
Theravance plans to submit an Orphan Drug designation request for ampreloxetine in early 2023.