Halozyme Therapeutics, announced that it has entered into a worldwide Collaboration and Licence Agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen) for the purpose of developing and commercialising products combining proprietary Janssen compounds with Halozyme's Enhanze technology. Enhanze is based on a proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20) that temporarily modifies hyaluronan, a component of the extracellular matrix, to aid in the dispersion and absorption of other injected therapeutic drugs.
"We are pleased that Janssen, a global leader in the development of novel therapeutics, has selected our Enhanze technology to further augment their development pipeline," said Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive officer. "This new global licencing agreement further validates our Enhanze platform technology, which we believe may benefit a growing number of patients worldwide by making therapies more convenient."
Under the terms of the agreement, Halozyme has granted to Janssen a worldwide licence to develop and commercialise products for up to five targets combining rHuPH20 with Janssen's proprietary compounds. Halozyme will receive an initial payment of $15 million, and is eligible to receive additional payments upon Janssen's achievement of specified development, regulatory and sales-based milestones, totaling up to $566 million. Halozyme is also entitled to royalty payments based on net sales of products using the Enhanze technology. Under the collaboration, Janssen will also obtain access to Halozyme's expertise in developing and applying rHuPH20 to Janssen targets and will obtain a worldwide, exclusive license to develop and commercialise product combinations of rHuPH20 and Janssen target compounds resulting from the collaboration.
Enhanze is Halozyme's proprietary drug delivery platform based on the Company's patented recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20). rHuPH20 has been shown to remove traditional limitations on the volume of biologics that can be delivered subcutaneously (just under the skin). By using rHuPH20, some biologics and compounds that are administered intravenously may instead be delivered subcutaneously. Enhanze may also benefit subcutaneous biologics by reducing the need for multiple injections. This delivery has been shown in studies to reduce health care practitioner time required for administration and shorten time for drug administration.
Halozyme Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercialising 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, which increase the dispersion and absorption of biologics, drugs and fluids. Halozyme's pipeline addresses therapeutic areas, including oncology, diabetes and dermatology that have significant unmet medical need today.