Halozyme, Incyte to Collaborate on Development of Subcutaneous mAb Formulations

Editor’s Take: More convenient delivery and dosing regimens, such as subcutaneous formulations, may improve the treatment experience.

Halozyme Therapeutics and Incyte have a new collaboration and license agreement evaluating additional subcutaneous formulations of the monoclonal antibody INCA033989. This mAb is a first-in-class mutant calreticulin (mutCALR)-targeted treatment for patients with mutCALR-expressing myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

Key to the global partnership is the use of Halozyme’s proprietary drug delivery technology, Enhanze. This technology also deploys a proprietary enzyme, rHuPH20. The platform already has helped develop 10 commercialized products in more than 100 global markets.

Subcutaneous an Attractive Option

Haloyzme and Incyte believe Enhanze has potential to strengthen the subcutaneous formulation that is currently in development for INCA033989. The end goal here, the companies say, is to enable more convenient delivery and dosing regimens improving the treatment experience.

Halozyme President and CEO Dr. Helen Torley said the collaboration underscores her company’s continued momentum. Also, Torley continued, the partnership emphasizes the “broad applicability” of Enhanze in high-value therapeutic areas.

“Incyte brings a strong portfolio and deep expertise in hematology,” Torley said. “We look forward to working together to enable the development of more convenient subcutaneous treatment options for patients. This agreement builds on Halozyme’s established track record of successful collaborations with leading biopharmaceutical companies. [It] further diversifies our portfolio of partnered programs across multiple therapeutic areas.”

Terms of Halozyme and Incyte Deal

The agreement stipulates that Halozyme will receive an upfront payment from Incyte. Exact terms are not known. Additionally, Halozyme is eligible for subsequent payments upon achievement of predetermined milestones.

Halozyme may also receive royalties on net sales of medicines commercialized using the Enhanze platform. And finally, Incyte retains the option to nominate up to two further targets to be used in concert with Enhanze.