Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has unveiled Rise, its first global innovation platform, inviting startups to propose breakthrough solutions to seven major challenges spanning manufacturing, clinical development, commercialization and patient experience. The program aims to accelerate new technologies that improve patient outcomes and strengthen operational efficiency, aligning with Teva’s “Pivot to Growth” strategy to position the company as a leading biopharma player.
Teva expects more than 100 applications and plans to select pilot companies in March, depending on the strength of submissions.
Read also: Norofert officially opens its new production facility in Brazil
Selected startups will be able to test their technologies in real-world environments and scale them across Teva’s global ecosystem. The company says it will commit “tens of millions” of dollars to advance the solutions emerging from Rise, which will also offer mentorship in addition to funding.
The challenges Teva wants to address
The first challenge seeks human-predictive platforms for preclinical biologics testing — scalable, validated alternatives to animal models, such as organ-on-a-chip systems or advanced cell culture technologies.
The second challenge focuses on modernizing clinical trial design. Teva is looking for AI-powered protocol design tools capable of predictive simulations that improve study parameters and enhance patient recruitment and retention.
Other challenges target commercialization, patient engagement, manufacturing and supply chain resiliency. Rise challenge No. 3 aims to transform the patient experience with long-acting injectables — an important area for Teva as it advances long-acting olanzapine for schizophrenia. Startups are encouraged to explore digital health tools, smart devices and behavioral-science-driven solutions to monitor and improve adherence.
Nonadherence is a significant issue for long-acting injectables, particularly in schizophrenia treatment, where Teva is developing both long-acting olanzapine and Uzedy, an extended-release risperidone approved by the FDA in 2023.
Photo: CTech
