Teva Presents New AUSTEDO® and AUSTEDO XR® Data Showing Patient- and Caregiver-Reported Improvements in Huntington’s Disease Chorea
Teva Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA), has announced new real-world evidence demonstrating that treatment with AUSTEDO® (deutetrabenazine) or AUSTEDO XR® is associated with meaningful improvements in both symptom control and quality of life for patients living with Huntington’s disease (HD) chorea, as well as measurable benefits for their caregivers. The findings were presented at the Advanced Therapeutics in Movement & Related Disorders® Congress, held June 4–8, 2026, in Washington, DC.
The data come from the first and only real-world, decentralized study designed to evaluate patient- and caregiver-reported outcomes related to HD chorea in a routine care setting. Unlike traditional clinical trials conducted under tightly controlled conditions, this study utilized an online, non-interventional survey approach to capture lived experiences from individuals directly affected by Huntington’s disease and those involved in their care. The results provide a broader understanding of how chorea impacts daily functioning, emotional wellbeing, and social participation—and how treatment with AUSTEDO or AUSTEDO XR may help alleviate these burdens.
Huntington’s disease is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms. One of the most visible and disabling motor manifestations of the disease is chorea, which involves involuntary, irregular, and often disruptive movements. These movements can significantly interfere with daily activities such as eating, dressing, walking, and communication, while also contributing to emotional distress and social isolation for patients. In addition, caregivers often experience substantial physical, emotional, and social strain as they support individuals living with the condition.
According to Eric Hughes, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President of Global Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at Teva, the new findings underscore the profound, multidimensional impact of Huntington’s disease chorea. He noted that the condition affects not only physical motor function but also emotional wellbeing, daily independence, and interpersonal relationships. He also emphasized that caregivers frequently experience significant burden as they manage the ongoing needs of affected individuals.
Dr. Hughes highlighted Teva’s patient-centric approach to neuroscience as central to the development and continued evaluation of AUSTEDO and AUSTEDO XR. He stated that the real-world data reinforce the therapeutic value of these treatments in delivering meaningful improvements for patients and in helping reduce the broader social and emotional burden associated with Huntington’s disease chorea.
The study collected data through the myHDstory® platform, an online survey tool designed to capture patient and caregiver perspectives in the United States. Adult participants aged 18 years and older with HD chorea were asked to report on their experiences with symptom severity, treatment status, quality of life impacts, and personal goals for symptom management. Individuals receiving AUSTEDO or AUSTEDO XR completed additional assessments evaluating perceived changes since initiating therapy, including the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale.
Caregivers of individuals with HD chorea also participated in a separate survey, reporting on how the condition affected their own daily lives across multiple domains. These included social functioning, emotional wellbeing, daily activities, and vocational or recreational engagement. The caregiver component of the study provided important insight into the broader ripple effects of HD chorea beyond the patient population itself.
Before treatment, survey results highlighted the extensive burden of Huntington’s disease chorea on both patients and caregivers. Patients reported that their symptoms frequently interfered with core aspects of daily life. Between 70% and 84% indicated that chorea disrupted their ability to engage in social activities, while 68% to 77% reported a negative impact on emotional wellbeing. Additionally, 70% to 78% noted interference with routine daily activities such as self-care tasks, and 67% to 82% reported limitations in vocational or recreational participation.
Caregivers reported similarly significant impacts. Between 73% and 84% indicated that their social functioning was affected by caregiving responsibilities, while 71% to 84% reported emotional strain. A large proportion also reported disruptions to daily activities (81% to 83%) and vocational or recreational life (76% to 83%), highlighting the extensive burden associated with caring for individuals with HD chorea.
Despite these challenges, patients and caregivers also identified clear goals for treatment prior to initiating therapy. Many patients expressed a desire to improve their ability to perform everyday activities independently and to participate more fully in social interactions. Caregivers, meanwhile, often focused on improving both the patient’s functional abilities and their own emotional wellbeing, including reducing stress, guilt, and caregiving burden.
Following treatment with AUSTEDO or AUSTEDO XR, survey findings indicated meaningful improvements across multiple domains. Among patients receiving therapy, 74% reported improvements in chorea symptoms based on the Patient Global Impression of Change scale. These improvements were associated with reductions in involuntary movements that are characteristic of Huntington’s disease chorea.
Importantly, these clinical improvements translated into broader functional and social benefits. More than 85% of treated patients reported progress toward goals related to daily activities, including dressing, walking, and eating. Patients also reported improvements in social engagement, such as increased ability to go out with friends and family, reflecting enhanced participation in normal life activities that are often limited by chorea symptoms.
Caregivers also reported positive outcomes associated with treatment. Approximately 77% indicated improvements in goals related to their own social lives and emotional wellbeing. These included reductions in emotional burden, stress, and feelings of guilt associated with caregiving responsibilities. The findings suggest that effective symptom management in patients may also produce meaningful relief for caregivers, improving overall family and household wellbeing.
Daniel Claassen, MD, MS, Professor of Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, principal investigator of the study, and Chief Executive Officer of the Huntington’s Study Group, emphasized the broader implications of the findings. He noted that Huntington’s disease chorea extends far beyond its physical manifestations, significantly affecting emotional health, social functioning, and personal identity. He also highlighted the substantial burden placed on caregivers, who often experience sustained emotional and functional strain.
Dr. Claassen explained that the real-world evidence generated by this study underscores the importance of effective chorea management as part of comprehensive Huntington’s disease care. By reducing involuntary movements, treatments such as AUSTEDO and AUSTEDO XR may help preserve patient independence for longer periods and reduce the overall burden experienced by caregivers.
The study, conducted in collaboration with the Huntington Study Group, is currently the only real-world decentralized analysis specifically evaluating the impact of HD chorea treatment on both patient and caregiver quality of life. As such, it provides a unique and valuable contribution to the understanding of how symptom control translates into meaningful functional and emotional outcomes in everyday life.
Overall, the findings presented at the 2026 congress reinforce the importance of addressing both the motor symptoms and broader psychosocial impacts of Huntington’s disease. They also highlight the role of patient-reported outcomes in capturing the full impact of therapy beyond traditional clinical measures, offering a more comprehensive view of treatment benefits in real-world settings.
About Chorea Associated with Huntington’s Disease (HD)
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by uncoordinated and uncontrollable movements, cognitive deterioration and behavioral and/or psychological problems. Chorea – involuntary, random and sudden, twisting and/or writhing movements – is one of the most striking physical manifestations of Huntington’s disease and occurs in approximately 90% of patients. Chorea can have a significant impact on daily activities and progressively limit peoples’ lives.4,5
About AUSTEDO XR Extended-Release Tablets and AUSTEDO Tablets
AUSTEDO XR and AUSTEDO are the first vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in adults for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington’s disease. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. AUSTEDO XR is the once-daily formulation of AUSTEDO.
