AbbVie has formed a global collaboration and license agreement with Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.,a biopharmaceutical company, to develop and commercialize products combining proprietary AbbVie compounds with Halozyme’s Enhanze platform, a proprietary drug-delivery platform based on 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.

Under the agreement, Halozyme will receive an initial $23 million payment, followed by milestone payments totaling approximately $130 million for each of up to nine collaboration targets. These payments are subject to AbbVie’s achievement of specified development, regulatory and sales-based milestones. In addition, AbbVie will pay Halozyme tiered royalties if products under the collaboration are commercialized.

Other top pharmaceutical and biotech companies partnering with Halozyme include Roche, Pfizer, Janssen and Baxter.

Source: Halozyme Therapeutics