Neurocrine Biosciences Announces Publication of KINECT-PRO™ Findings Demonstrating INGREZZA® (valbenazine) Capsules Improved Patient-Reported Quality of Life and Daily Functioning for People Living with Tardive Dyskinesia
Rhea-AI Summary
Neurocrine Biosciences (NASDAQ: NBIX) reported publication of Phase 4 KINECT-PRO™ data showing once-daily INGREZZA (valbenazine) improved patient-reported quality of life and functioning in adults with tardive dyskinesia over 24 weeks. The open-label study (n=59; 45 in efficacy analyses) used multiple validated patient-reported outcomes, including the Tardive Dyskinesia Impact Scale (TDIS™), EQ-VAS and Sheehan Disability Scale, plus clinician-rated AIMS.
Mean improvements in TD impact (TDIS) and movement severity (AIMS) exceeded minimal clinically important difference thresholds and were sustained to Week 24 across psychiatric diagnoses and baseline severities. About 58% of patients met a clinician-defined symptomatic remission threshold at Week 24, and safety and tolerability were reported as consistent with the known INGREZZA profile, with no new concerns identified.
Positive
- 58% symptomatic remission at Week 24 based on AIMS criteria
- Clinician-rated AIMS mean change -6.8 vs MCID -2 in overall population
- Patient-reported TDIS mean change -8.0 vs MCID -4 in overall population
- EQ-VAS self-rated health improved by mean +13.1 points at Week 24
- 88% of enrolled patients (52/59) completed the 24-week visit
Negative
- None.
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Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 07 | Phase 1 initiation | Positive | +2.3% | Initiated first-in-human study of NBIP-'1968 obesity candidate |
| Jul 30 | 2Q26 earnings report | Positive | -10.1% | Reported revenue growth and raised full-year INGREZZA sales guidance |
| Jul 23 | Leadership appointments | Positive | +0.9% | Appointed three senior vice presidents across commercial and corporate functions |
| Jul 21 | Leadership appointment | Positive | -3.5% | Appointed Samir Siddhanti as chief business officer |
| Jul 09 | Earnings scheduling | Neutral | -1.9% | Scheduled release of second-quarter 2026 financial results |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent company announcements produced mixed reactions, with two positive events followed by gains and two followed by declines.
Key Terms
vmAT2 medical
minimal clinically important difference medical
open-label technical
abnormal involuntary movement scale medical
eq-vas medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- INGREZZA is the only vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor with clinical trial data demonstrating improvements in quality of life and functionality in people living with tardive dyskinesia across multiple validated patient-reported outcomes
- Mean improvements in the patient-reported impacts of tardive dyskinesia and clinician-rated movement severity exceeded established thresholds for clinically meaningful change at Week 24, with improvements observed regardless of underlying psychiatric diagnosis or baseline movement severity
- Approximately
58% of patients met the threshold for tardive dyskinesia symptomatic remission at Week 24, based on clinician assessment of movement severity - Findings reinforce that even patients with mild tardive dyskinesia movements are impacted and can experience meaningful improvements in movement severity, quality of life and functionality with INGREZZA treatment
KINECT-PRO is currently the only study to assess the effects of a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor (INGREZZA) on quality of life and functionality using multiple validated patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including the Tardive Dyskinesia Impact Scale (TDIS™). TDIS, developed by Neurocrine Biosciences in partnership with thought leaders in neurology and psychiatry, is a unique, psychometrically validated tool that measures the impact and burden of TD from a patient's perspective. Together with clinician-rated assessments, these findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of how treatment may affect both TD movements and the impact of the disease on patients' daily lives.
"The KINECT-PRO clinical study incorporated validated patient-reported measures, including the Tardive Dyskinesia Impact Scale, to better understand the effects of treating tardive dyskinesia with INGREZZA on patient-reported quality of life and functioning," said Sanjay Keswani, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Neurocrine Biosciences. "These findings add to the extensive body of evidence supporting the meaningful improvements INGREZZA has on movement severity and quality of life and functionality."
"Quality of life and day-to-day functioning are important considerations when evaluating the impact of tardive dyskinesia and treatment goals," said Christoph U. Correll, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, The Zucker Hillside Hospital and primary author of the manuscript. "These findings showed improvements with INGREZZA in both clinician-rated movement severity and patient-reported daily impact and reinforced the potential for meaningful benefit across a broad range of patients regardless of baseline movement severity or underlying psychiatric diagnosis."
KINECT-PRO evaluated improvements in outcomes that matter to patients
The primary endpoints of KINECT-PRO were changes from baseline to Week 24 in three validated patient-reported measures of quality of life and functionality, including:
- TDIS: Measures the physical, social and emotional impacts of TD.
- EuroQoL Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS): Measures patients' self-rated overall health status.
- The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS): Measures patient-reported functional impairment in work/school, social life and family/home life.
Secondary endpoints evaluated clinician- and patient-reported changes in TD severity using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C) and the Clinical Global Impression of Severity-TD (CGI-TD-S). Fifty-nine patients were enrolled in the KINECT-PRO study and received once-daily INGREZZA (40 mg, 60 mg or 80 mg) for up to 24 weeks. At baseline, approximately
Patients experienced improvements in quality of life, functionality and movement severity
KINECT-PRO participants experienced substantial improvements across the three validated patient-reported measures of quality of life (TDIS, SDS and EQ-VAS), as well as improvements in clinician-reported TD severity.
- Mean improvements in TD impact (TDIS) and movement severity (AIMS) exceeded established minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds as early as Week 8 and Week 4, respectively, and were sustained to Week 24.
- Improvements were observed regardless of underlying psychiatric condition or TD movement severity at baseline.
- Even patients with milder clinician-rated TD movement severity were impacted by TD at baseline and experienced clinically meaningful improvements by Week 24, including a -6.8 mean change from baseline in TDIS and a -5.6 mean change from baseline in AIMS.
- Approximately
58% of patients (26/45) met the threshold for TD symptomatic remission at Week 24, defined as a movement severity score of 0 ("none") or 1 ("minimal") in each of the seven body regions assessed by AIMS. - Safety and tolerability of treatment were consistent with the known profile of INGREZZA, with no new concerns identified.
Mean Change from Baseline at Week 24 | |||||
TDIS† (MCID -4) | SDS - Social Life† | SDS - Family Life† | EQ-VAS‡ | AIMS Total (MCID -2) | |
Overall Population (n=45)* | -8.0 | -2.3 | -1.6 | +13.1 | -6.8 |
Mild TD Subgroup (n=20) | -6.8 | -1.8 | -1.3 | +12.8 | -5.6 |
Moderate/Severe (n=25) | -8.9 | -2.8 | -1.8 | +13.3 | -7.8 |
*52/59 ( |
†A decrease in score indicated improvement. |
‡An increase in score indicated improvement. |
About the KINECT-PRO™ Phase 4 Study
The KINECT-PRO™ Phase 4, open-label study was designed to evaluate patient-reported outcomes on the use of INGREZZA® (valbenazine) capsules in a tardive dyskinesia (TD) patient population reflective of real-world clinical practice. Participants had at least mild TD, were aware of and experiencing at least mild distress from their abnormal, involuntary movements and had a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder or major depression. The KINECT-PRO study included a four-week screening period, a 24-week treatment period during which participants received 40 mg of INGREZZA once-daily for the first four weeks, followed by flexible dosing of 40 mg, 60 mg or 80 mg once-daily based on individual treatment needs and a two-week safety follow-up period. Baseline socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants were broadly similar to those of the KINECT® 3 and KINECT® 4 studies.
KINECT-PRO is the first and only study to specifically evaluate and demonstrate patient-reported improvement with vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor treatment on TD using multiple clinically validated scales, including the Tardive Dyskinesia Impact Scale (TDIS™). The TDIS is the only patient-reported outcome instrument designed for and psychometrically validated in tardive dyskinesia patients that measures the physical, social and emotional impact of the involuntary movements of the condition.
About the Tardive Dyskinesia Impact Scale
The Tardive Dyskinesia Impact Scale (TDIS™) is the only patient-reported outcome instrument designed for and validated in tardive dyskinesia patients that measures the physical, social and emotional impact of the involuntary movements of the condition. It was developed by Neurocrine Biosciences in partnership with thought leaders in neurology and psychiatry from qualitative studies and Phase 3 trials of INGREZZA for the treatment of TD (KINECT® 3 and KINECT® 4) as a comprehensive measure of impact and burden of TD from a patient's perspective. The TDIS consists of 11 questions evaluating physical and socio-emotional impact. Six scales are assessed: mouth/throat, dexterity, mobility, pain, social and emotional. The TDIS allows people with TD to rate how their symptoms affect daily activities and how their uncontrollable movements make them feel. The questionnaire captures relevant information about the impact of TD to provide a more holistic assessment of the condition. Validation of this scale was published in the Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes.
About the EQ Visual Analogue Scale and the Sheehan Disability Scale
The EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) is the second component of the 5-level EQ 5D (EQ-5D-5L). The EQ-VAS is a visual scale ranging from 0 "the worst health you can imagine" to 100 "the best health you can imagine" that assesses a patient's self-rated health, with higher scores indicating better health status.
The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) is a five-item, patient-reported outcome measure which includes social, family and occupational life domains. Three items assess impairment in terms of work/school, social life and family life/home responsibilities and are scored independently (0 [not impaired] to 10 [extremely impaired]) or combined for a total score (0 to 30). Two items assess number of days lost or underproductive. A decrease in score indicates improvement.
About Tardive Dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder that is characterized by uncontrolled, abnormal and repetitive movements of the face, torso and/or other body parts, which may be disruptive and negatively impact patients. The condition is associated with taking certain kinds of mental health medicines (antipsychotics) that help control dopamine receptors in the brain. Taking antipsychotics commonly prescribed to treat mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder and other prescription medicines (metoclopramide and prochlorperazine) used to treat gastrointestinal disorders are associated with TD. In patients with TD, these treatments are thought to result in irregular dopamine signaling in a region of the brain that controls movement. The symptoms of TD can be mild to severe and are often persistent and irreversible. TD is estimated to affect at least 800,000 adults in the
About INGREZZA® (valbenazine) Capsules and INGREZZA® SPRINKLE (valbenazine) Capsules
INGREZZA is a selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adults with tardive dyskinesia and the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease (HD). Only INGREZZA offers a therapeutic dose from day one with no required titration.
INGREZZA, developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, selectively inhibits VMAT2 with no appreciable binding affinity for VMAT1, dopaminergic (including D2), serotonergic, adrenergic, histaminergic or muscarinic receptors. While the specific way INGREZZA works to treat TD and HD chorea is not fully understood, INGREZZA is unique in that it selectively and specifically targets VMAT2 to inhibit the release of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that helps control movement. INGREZZA is believed to reduce extra dopamine signaling, which may lead to fewer uncontrollable movements.
INGREZZA is studied across the widest range of patients. It is always one capsule, once daily and can be taken together with most stable mental health regimens such as antipsychotics or antidepressants. Only INGREZZA offers the benefit of a sprinkle formulation, INGREZZA SPRINKLE, for those who experience dysphagia, have difficulty swallowing or prefer not to swallow a pill. INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE dosages approved for use are 40 mg, 60 mg and 80 mg capsules.
Important Information
Approved Uses
INGREZZA® (valbenazine) capsules or INGREZZA® SPRINKLE (valbenazine) capsules are prescription medicines used to treat adults with:
- movements in the face, tongue, or other body parts that cannot be controlled (tardive dyskinesia).
- involuntary movements (chorea) of Huntington's disease. INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE do not cure the cause of involuntary movements, and do not treat other symptoms of Huntington's disease, such as problems with thinking or emotions.
It is not known if INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE can cause serious side effects in people with Huntington's disease, including: depression, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal actions. Tell your healthcare provider before you start taking INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE if you have Huntington's disease and are depressed (have untreated depression or depression that is not well controlled by medicine) or have suicidal thoughts. Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is especially important when INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE is started and when the dose is changed. Call your healthcare provider right away if you become depressed, have unusual changes in mood or behavior, or have thoughts of hurting yourself.
Do not take INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE if you:
- are allergic to valbenazine, or any of the ingredients in INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE.
INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE can cause serious side effects, including:
- Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions, including an allergic reaction that causes sudden swelling called angioedema, can happen after taking the first dose or after many doses of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE. Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions and angioedema include: trouble breathing or shortness of breath, swelling of your face, lips, eyelids, tongue, or throat, or other areas of your skin, trouble with swallowing, or rash, including raised, itchy red areas on your skin (hives). Swelling in the throat can be life-threatening and can lead to death. Stop taking INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE and go to the nearest emergency room right away if you develop these signs and symptoms of allergic reactions and angioedema.
- Sleepiness and tiredness that could cause slow reaction times (somnolence and sedation). Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE affects you. Drinking alcohol and taking other medicines may also cause sleepiness during treatment with INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE.
- Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation). INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE may cause a heart rhythm problem known as QT prolongation. You have a higher chance of getting QT prolongation if you also take certain other medicines during treatment with INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of QT prolongation, including: fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat (heart palpitations), shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, or fainting or feeling like you are going to faint.
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). NMS is a serious condition that can lead to death. Call a healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms and they do not have another obvious cause: high fever, stiff muscles, problems thinking, irregular pulse or blood pressure, increased sweating, or very fast or uneven heartbeat.
- Parkinson-like symptoms. Symptoms include: body stiffness, drooling, trouble moving or walking, trouble keeping your balance, shaking (tremors), or falls.
Before taking INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you: have liver or heart problems, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Make sure you tell all of your healthcare providers that you are taking INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE. Taking INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you: take digoxin or take or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) medicine. You should not take INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE if you are taking, or have stopped taking, a MAOI within the last 14 days.
The most common side effects of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE in people with tardive dyskinesia are sleepiness and tiredness.
The most common side effects of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE in people with chorea associated with Huntington's disease include sleepiness and tiredness, raised itchy red areas on your skin (hives), rash, and trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.
These are not all of the possible side effects of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Dosage Forms and Strengths: INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE are available in 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg capsules.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide.
About Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. (*in collaboration with AbbVie)
The NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES Logo, NEUROCRINE, YOU DESERVE BRAVE SCIENCE, KINECT and INGREZZA are registered trademarks of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. KINECT-PRO and TDIS are trademarks of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical facts, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential benefits to be derived from INGREZZA, the interpretation and potential relevance of the data described in this press release, including statements regarding clinically meaningful improvements in patient-reported quality of life and functional capacity and clinician-rated movement severity among patients with tardive dyskinesia, and the value INGREZZA may bring to patients. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: risks and uncertainties as to whether the data described in this press release will be replicated in additional studies or will be predictive of efficacy or other clinical outcomes in subsequent clinical studies or real-world use of INGREZZA; risks and uncertainties associated with Neurocrine Biosciences' business and finances in general, as well as risks and uncertainties associated with the commercialization of INGREZZA; whether INGREZZA receives adequate reimbursement from third-party payors; risks and uncertainties relating to competitive products and technological changes that may limit demand for INGREZZA; risks associated with the Company's dependence on third parties for development and manufacturing activities related to INGREZZA, and the ability of the Company to manage these third parties; risks that additional regulatory submissions for INGREZZA or other product candidates may not occur or be submitted in a timely manner; risks that the FDA or other regulatory authorities may make adverse decisions regarding INGREZZA; risks that post-approval INGREZZA commitments or requirements may be delayed; risks that INGREZZA may be precluded from commercialization by the proprietary or regulatory rights of third parties, or have unintended side effects, adverse reactions or incidents of misuse; and other risks described in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Neurocrine Biosciences disclaims any obligation to update the statements contained in this press release after the date hereof other than required by law.
© 2026 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CAP-VBZ-US-0106 08/2026
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