Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. today announced that argenx has nominated four additional targets under their existing global collaboration and license agreement. This expands argenx’s exclusive access to Halozyme’s ENHANZE drug delivery technology, a proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme for rapid subcutaneous drug delivery.
 
With the addition of these new targets, argenx now has exclusive rights to ENHANZE for a total of six programs, including its approved FcRn blocker, VYVGART Hytrulo.
 
Under the terms of the expanded agreement, argenx will make upfront payments of $7.5 million per target nomination, totaling $30 million, to Halozyme. The company may also be eligible for future milestone payments of up to $85 million per nominated target based on development progress, regulatory approvals, and sales attainment.
 
Halozyme will receive a tiered mid-single digit royalty rate on net sales of products developed under the agreement. The rate will be reduced in one or more steps upon expiration of ENHANZE-related patents. Royalties will be paid for the longer of 10 years from the first commercial sale or until the expiration of the last valid claim of a co-formulation patent.
 
“We are very pleased to strengthen our relationship with argenx, an innovative leader in immunology dedicated to improving the lives of people suffering from severe autoimmune diseases. We share argenx’s patient centric mission and are united in our commitment to improve the lives of patients. As the leader in rapid subcutaneous drug delivery, ENHANZE has clinically demonstrated shorter administration time, offering patients and healthcare practitioners with more convenience and flexibility in how therapies are delivered,” said Dr. Helen Torley, president and CEO. “With the strong proven success of ENHANZE, we look forward to further supporting argenx’s momentum as they expand their immunology pipeline with subcutaneous delivery of therapeutics to achieve their Vision 2030.”
 
Tim Van Hauwermeiren, CEO of argenx, added, “We are very excited to have access to Halozyme’s leading subcutaneous delivery technology now for six different targets. The expansion of our exclusive access to ENHANZE plays a critical role in solidifying our leadership position and delivering on our commitment to providing life-changing immunology solutions to patients.”