US' Halozyme Therapeutics has announced a global collaboration and license agreement with Japan's Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. that gives exclusive access to Halozyme's ENHANZE drug delivery technology, recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 enzyme (rHuPH20), for an undisclosed target.  Chugai intends to explore the potential use of ENHANZE for a Chugai drug candidate.

Under the terms of the agreement, Chugai will make an upfront payment of $25 million to Halozyme and is obligated to make potential future payments of up to $160 million in the aggregate, subject to achievement of specified development, regulatory and sales-based milestones.  Halozyme will also be entitled to receive royalties on sales of commercialized medicines using the ENHANZE^® technology.

"We are thrilled to announce our latest collaboration and license agreement for ENHANZE^® and look forward to working closely with Chugai to advance this program," said Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive officer. "Our twelfth collaboration demonstrates the continued strong interest in providing patients with the option to receive treatment through a subcutaneous injection. This new collaboration further expands the number of Wave 5 potential launch programs, which we project will extend the revenue duration of our ENHANZE^® franchise."

Chugai represents Halozyme's twelfth global collaboration and license partner for the ENHANZE^® technology.  These collaborations cover more than 60 therapeutic targets and include five commercialized products to date.