SAN DIEGO, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) today announced that clinical data from a Phase 1b trial of PEGPH20 (PEGylated recombinant human hyaluronidase) in combination with gemcitabine for the treatment of patients with stage IV metastatic pancreatic cancer will be presented at the European Cancer Congress 2013 (ECCO-ESMO-ESTRO) in Amsterdam. Additional data, including progression free and overall survival by hyaluronan (HA) status, will be presented at a poster session.
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Halozyme Poster Presentation at ECCO-ESMO-ESTRO:
- “A Phase 1b study of gemcitabine plus PEGPH20 (PEGylated recombinant human hyaluronidase) in patients with stage IV previously untreated pancreatic cancer” will be presented by Joy Zhu M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, Oncology Clinical Development, Halozyme on Monday, September 30 in Hall 4 at 14:00 CEST. (Abstract #2598)
A Phase 2 multicenter, randomized clinical trial evaluating PEGPH20 in combination with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine for the treatment of stage IV pancreatic cancer began in April 2013. Approximately 124 patients are expected to participate in the trial and receive gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel either with or without PEGPH20. Halozyme is also developing an HA diagnostic tool for use in the Phase 2 study to evaluate potential treatment benefit based on tumor HA levels. This HA-diagnostic approach may also enable the testing of PEGPH20 in other HA-rich tumor types.
About PEGPH20
Emerging data show that most pancreatic cancers surround themselves with a protective hyaluronan-rich matrix, which makes the disease difficult to treat and is an indicator of poor prognosis. PEGPH20 has been shown to deplete this matrix component from the tumor and rapidly changes the tumor microenvironment and metabolism, which may render it more vulnerable to therapy as well as inhibit tumor growth.
About Pancreatic Cancer
In most patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, survival rates are the lowest of any cancer. In 2013, it is estimated that almost 45,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed. About one-in-78 people in the U.S. will develop the disease, affecting equal numbers of men and women, almost always after the age of 45. Its tendency to spread prior to diagnosis makes it the fourth deadliest cancer with a less than six percent five-year relative survival rate, with more than 38,000 people succumbing to the disease each year.1-2
About Halozyme
Halozyme Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative products that advance patient care. With a diversified portfolio of enzymes that target the extracellular matrix, the company’s research focuses primarily on a family of human enzymes, known as hyaluronidases, which increase the absorption and dispersion of biologics, drugs and fluids. Halozyme’s pipeline addresses therapeutic areas, including diabetes, oncology and dermatology that have significant unmet medical need. The company markets Hylenex® recombinant (hyaluronidase human injection) and has partnerships with Roche, Pfizer, Baxter, and Intrexon. Halozyme is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information on how we are innovating, please visit our corporate website at www.halozyme.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
In addition to historical information, the statements set forth above include forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements concerning the possible activity, benefits and attributes of PEGPH20, the possible method of action of PEGPH20, future clinical trials for PEGPH20, the development of the HA diagnostic tool and the potential uses of such tool and the possible utility of PEGPH20 in pancreatic cancer and other tumors. The forward-looking statements are usually (but not always) identified through use of the words “believe,” “enable,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “intends,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “predict,” “probable,” “potential,” “possible,” “should,” “continue,” and other words of similar meaning. Actual results could differ materially from the expectations contained in forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties including clinical trial enrollment and results, regulatory approval requirements, unexpected expenditures and costs, unexpected results or delays in development and regulatory review, unexpected adverse events and competitive conditions. These and other factors that may result in differences are discussed in greater detail in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2013. Halozyme does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.
References
1. American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2013.
2. Pancreatic Cancer, American Cancer Society, http://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreaticcancer/detailedguide/pancreatic-cancer-key-statistics Accessed April 18, 2013.
Investor Contact:
David Ramsay
Halozyme Therapeutics
858-704-8260
ir@halozyme.com
Media Contact:
Nurha Hindi
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
310-633-9434
Nurha.Hindi@hkstrategies.com
SOURCE Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.
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