CORONADO, Calif., June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. , a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing recombinant human enzymes, today presented new pharmacokinetic and preclinical studies of the company's Enhanze Technology (rHuPH20) platform for the subcutaneous (underneath the skin) delivery of antibody therapeutics at the IBC Drug Discovery Antibody Conference.
Studies evaluating the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of several subcutaneously injected antibody candidates with and without rHuPH20 in different animal models were presented. The results demonstrated significant increases in peak blood levels and a more rapid appearance in the bloodstream of antibody candidates injected subcutaneously with rHuPH20 compared to subcutaneous injections alone.
"The self-administration of antibodies by patients is evolving as the method of choice for chronic antibody therapies," said Gregory Frost, PhD, Halozyme's Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. "A large number of monoclonal antibody therapies in development could potentially be converted from intravenous to subcutaneous administration with rHuPH20."
Halozyme's rHuPH20 is a highly purified, recombinant form of the naturally occurring human enzyme and is being investigated for its ability to break down hyaluronic acid (HA), the space-filling "gel"-like substance that is a major component of tissues throughout the body. Use of hyaluronidase may potentially change the route of administration or improve the bioavailability of new antibody therapies.
About Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.
Halozyme is a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing recombinant human enzymes for the drug delivery, palliative care, oncology, and infertility markets. The company's portfolio of products is based on intellectual property covering the family of human enzymes known as hyaluronidases. Halozyme's recombinant human enzymes may replace current animal slaughterhouse-derived extracts that carry potential risks of animal pathogen transmission and immunogenicity. The company has received FDA approval for two products: Cumulase(R), the first and only recombinant human hyaluronidase for cumulus removal in the IVF process; and Hylenex, for use as an adjuvant to increase the absorption and dispersion of other injected drugs. The versatility of the first enzyme, rHuPH20, enables Halozyme to develop the product as a medical device, drug enhancement agent, and therapeutic drug.
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Halozyme Contact Investor Relations Contacts David A. Ramsay Zachary Bryant Chief Financial Officer Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates (858) 794-8889 (310) 691-7100 dramsay@halozyme.comzbryant@lhai.com Media Contacts Kathy Sweeney / Joleen Schultz Mentus 858-455-5500, x230/x215 kwitz@mentus.comjschultz@mentus.com
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.CONTACT: David A. Ramsay, Chief Financial Officer of HalozymeTherapeutics, Inc., +1-858-794-8889, dramsay@halozyme.com; or InvestorRelations, Zachary Bryant of Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates,+1-310-691-7100, zbryant@lhai.com, for Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.; orMedia, Kathy Sweeney, ext. 230, kwitz@mentus.com, or Joleen Schultz, ext.215, jschultz@mentus.com, both of Mentus, +1-858-455-5500, for HalozymeTherapeutics, Inc.
