Halozyme scores $63M drug delivery deal

Halozyme has inked another pact for rHuPH20, an enzyme designed to spur the absorption of certain injectables. This $63 million deal--$9 million upfront and $54 million in milestones--gives Intrexon the right to use the enzyme technology with its therapy for a rare genetic disorder. Halozyme inked a similar $83 million deal last month with ViroPharma. "The combination of Intrexon's synthetic DNA platform for high-level A1AT production with Halozyme's subcutaneous enzyme technology may enable the first recombinant human A1AT replacement therapy with a more patient-friendly administration profile," said Halozyme CEO Gregory Frost. Release