Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, have entered an agreement to collaborate on clinical studies evaluating as many as eight different tumor types beginning in 2017.

The first Phase Ib/II study, led by Genentech, will evaluate their cancer immunotherapy Tecentriq (atezolizumab), an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, in combination with Halozyme’s investigational drug, PEGPH20 in six tumor types. Halozyme will supply the drug for the Genentech study. This study will initially focus on gastrointestinal malignancies, including pancreatic and gastric cancers.
The second Phase Ib study led by Halozyme will assess Tecentriq in combination with PEGPH20 and chemotherapy in advanced or metastatic biliary and gallbladder cancers.

Following the Phase Ib portions to assess safety and tolerability of the combinations, the study designs may scale to registration trials.

“High levels of hyaluronan (HA) have been shown in retrospective clinical reviews to be associated with a poor prognosis when compared to low-HA and in animal models to potentially impede the access of cancer therapy,” said Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive officer of Halozyme. “We look forward to exploring this combination therapy with our partner in a range of tumors given our shared focus on the tumor microenvironment and longstanding relationship working together on the development of Roche’s Herceptin SC and MabThera SC products for the EU market.”