Halozyme Therapeutics Enters Lucrative Agreement With Pfizer
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Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. recently announced it has entered into a worldwide collaboration and license agreement with Pfizer Inc. for the purpose of developing and commercializing products combining proprietary Pfizer biologics with Halozyme’s Enhanze technology. Enhanze is Halozyme’s proprietary drug delivery platform and is based on the company’s patented recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20).
Under the terms of the agreement, Halozyme has granted to Pfizer a worldwide license to develop and commercialize products combining rHuPH20 with Pfizer proprietary biologics directed to up to six targets. Targets may be selected on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis. Halozyme will receive an initial payment of $8 million, which includes the up-front fee for exclusive licenses to two specified therapeutic targets in primary care and specialty care indications and the right for Pfizer to elect up to four additional targets upon payment of additional fees.
“I am delighted about this opportunity as it has the potential to enhance Pfizer’s ability to optimize treatments for patients,” said Jose Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos, Senior Vice President, Pfizer BioTherapeutics R&D.
Halozyme is eligible to receive additional payments upon Pfizer’s achievement of specified development, regulatory, and sales-based milestones, totaling up to $507 million. Halozyme is also entitled to royalty payments based on net sales of any licensed products.
“We look forward to working with Pfizer to apply Enhanze to these exciting targets,” added Gregory I. Frost, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Halozyme. “Enhanze enables biologics to be delivered as a simple subcutaneous injection.”
Enhanze is Halozyme’s proprietary drug delivery platform based on the company’s patented recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20). rHuPH20 acts by removing traditional limitations on the volume of biologics that can be delivered subcutaneously (just under the skin). By using Enhanze, some biologics that are administered intravenously may instead be delivered subcutaneously. Enhanze may also benefit subcutaneous biologics by reducing the need for multiple injections. This delivery may improve patient convenience and reduce overall costs to the healthcare system.
Halozyme Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative products that advance patient care. With a diversified portfolio of enzymes that target the extracellular matrix, the company’s research focuses primarily on a family of human enzymes, known as hyaluronidases, that increase the absorption and dispersion of biologics. For more information, visit www.halozyme.com.
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