INGREZZA's Long-Term Clinical Success in Huntington's Disease: A Catalyst for Market Leadership and Sustainable Growth

Neurocrine Biosciences' INGREZZA (valbenazine) has emerged as a transformative therapy for chorea associated with Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative condition with historically limited treatment options. Recent three-year clinical data from the open-label KINECT-HD2 study, presented at the 2025 MDS International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, underscores INGREZZA's sustained efficacy and safety, solidifying its position as a cornerstone in HD management and a driver of long-term revenue growth for the company, as detailed in a PR NewsWire release.

Sustained Efficacy: A Differentiator in a High-Unmet-Need Market

The KINECT-HD2 trial, which enrolled 154 patients, demonstrated that INGREZZA's chorea-reducing effects were not only rapid (notable improvements by Week 2) but also durable, with response rates climbing from 34.5% at Week 2 to 77.8% at Week 156, as reported by PR NewsWire. This sustained improvement, measured via the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Maximal Chorea (TMC) score, highlights INGREZZA's ability to maintain therapeutic benefits over extended periods-a critical factor for chronic conditions like HD. Notably, the drug's efficacy was consistent across multiple body regions, addressing a key limitation of earlier therapies, as summarized in a CheckOrphan report.

Moreover, the study revealed that concomitant use of antipsychotic medications did not diminish INGREZZA's chorea-reducing effects, according to an Investing.com report. This is significant, as many HD patients require polypharmacy to manage psychiatric comorbidities. By maintaining efficacy in complex treatment regimens, INGREZZA strengthens its value proposition in a market where patient adherence and treatment persistence are paramount.

Safety Profile: Balancing Tolerability and Real-World Use

INGREZZA's safety profile over three years further cements its commercial viability. Common adverse events included falls (42.9%), somnolence (25.3%), and fatigue (21.4%), but serious adverse events occurred in less than 2% of participants, as noted in a Third News article. This low rate of severe side effects is particularly advantageous in HD, where patients often experience motor and cognitive decline that complicates treatment. The drug's once-daily dosing and sprinkle formulation for patients with dysphagia also enhance its practicality, reducing barriers to adoption, according to a SWOT analysis.

Market Leadership Amid Competitive Pressures

INGREZZA's clinical strengths translate into a robust market position. Despite competition from Teva's Austedo (deutetrabenazine), INGREZZA maintained a leading role in 2025, with Neurocrine projecting $2.5–$2.55 billion in net product sales for the year, per Neurocrine's Q2 release. This guidance reflects double-digit volume growth, driven by expanded formulary access (covering 70% of Medicare beneficiaries) and strong patient demand, as discussed in FiercePharma coverage. By comparison, Teva's Austedo is forecasted to generate $1.9–$2 billion in 2025 sales, underscoring INGREZZA's dominance in the HD segment, according to a Mordor Intelligence report.

The global HD treatment market, valued at $820 million in 2025, is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 8.23% through 2030, reaching $1.22 billion, per a Seeking Alpha article. INGREZZA's entrenched position in this market-bolstered by its first-in-class VMAT2 inhibitor mechanism and long-term data-positions it to capture a significant share of this growth. Neurocrine's strategic expansion into international markets (e.g., Germany, UK) and pursuit of new indications further diversify its revenue streams, as highlighted in a Monexa analysis.

Strategic Innovation and Financial Resilience

Neurocrine's pipeline and financial strategy amplify INGREZZA's long-term potential. The company is advancing NBI-1140675, a next-generation VMAT2 inhibitor, which could offer enhanced efficacy and reinforce its leadership in movement disorders, as noted in a LifeScienceTracker entry. Additionally, Neurocrine's recent launch of Crenessity for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) diversifies its revenue base, reducing overreliance on INGREZZA while maintaining its focus on neurological and endocrine therapies, as reported in a PR NewsWire financial release (see above).

Financially, Neurocrine's strong cash position and disciplined approach to R&D and M&A position it to navigate competitive pressures and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The company's 2025 guidance, which factors in pricing pressures from Medicare negotiations and expanded access programs, remains optimistic, reflecting confidence in INGREZZA's enduring demand, as detailed in the company's Q2 commentary.

Conclusion: A Compelling Investment Case

INGREZZA's three-year clinical data, combined with its favorable safety profile and market leadership, presents a compelling case for investors. As the HD treatment landscape evolves with the advent of disease-modifying therapies, INGREZZA's role as a symptomatic gold standard ensures its relevance in the near term. Neurocrine's strategic focus on innovation, geographic expansion, and pipeline diversification further strengthens its ability to deliver sustainable revenue growth and shareholder value. For investors seeking exposure to a high-unmet-need therapeutic area with a proven commercial engine, INGREZZA remains a standout asset.