Halozyme Therapeutics has entered a global collaboration and licence agreement with Incyte to evaluate additional subcutaneous formulations of INCA033989 using Halozyme’s ENHANZE drug delivery technology.
INCA033989 is a first-in-class mutant calreticulin-targeted monoclonal antibody being developed for patients with mutCALR-expressing myeloproliferative neoplasms.
This is relevant because biologic therapies in haematology are increasingly being developed with delivery experience in mind. Subcutaneous formulations can reduce infusion burden, shorten administration time and support more flexible treatment delivery when clinical performance is maintained.
The collaboration will assess whether ENHANZE can strengthen the subcutaneous formulation currently in development for INCA033989. The goal is to support more convenient delivery and dosing regimens for patients.
Under the agreement, Halozyme will receive an upfront payment from Incyte and is eligible for additional milestone payments. Halozyme is also eligible to receive royalties on net sales of commercialised medicines using ENHANZE. Incyte also has the option to nominate up to two additional targets for use with the technology.
ENHANZE uses Halozyme’s proprietary rHuPH20 enzyme technology to facilitate subcutaneous delivery of injected drugs and fluids. Halozyme said ENHANZE has been used in ten commercialised products across more than 100 global markets and has touched more than one million patient lives.
The agreement adds another haematology-focused partnered programme to Halozyme’s drug delivery portfolio and gives Incyte a potential route to broaden delivery options for a targeted antibody in myeloproliferative neoplasms.
