Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. entered a global collaboration and license agreement with AbbVie to develop and commercialize products combining AbbVie compounds with Halozyme’s ENHANZE platform. Halozyme will receive $23 million upfront and milestone payments totaling approximately $130 million for as many as nine collaboration targets, as well as royalties if products under the collaboration are commercialized.

The Halozyme ENHANZE platform is based on a recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20) that temporarily degrades hyaluronan, a chain of natural sugars in the body, to aid in the dispersion and absorption of other injected therapeutic drugs. For AbbVie, this technology may allow for more rapid delivery of injectable medications through subcutaneous delivery.

“We are pleased that AbbVie, a global leader in the development of novel therapeutics, has chosen Halozyme’s ENHANZE platform to augment their development pipeline,” said Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive officer. “AbbVie joins a growing number of top pharmaceutical and biotech companies partnering with Halozyme to develop new formulations that will benefit patients worldwide.”