Pfizer and Halozyme agree drug discovery alliance

Pfizer has announced a new alliance with Halozyme Therapeutics pertaining to the development and commercialisation of new biologic therapies.

The worldwide collaboration and licence agreement will involve the combination of proprietary Pfizer biologics with Halozyme's Enhanze technology, a proprietary drug delivery platform based on its patented recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme.

With Enhanze, biologics can be delivered as a simple subcutaneous injection, thus reducing the need for multiple jabs to improve patient convenience and reduce overall costs to the healthcare system.

Under the terms of the deal, Pfizer will be able to develop therapies directed at up to six targets, with Halozyme receiving milestone-based fees depending on the progress of the research efforts.

Jose Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos, senior vice-president of Pfizer BioTherapeutics, said: "I am delighted about this opportunity as it has the potential to enhance Pfizer's ability to optimise treatments for patients."

This comes after Pfizer chose Humedica as its new clinical informatics and analytics partner earlier this month, an arrangement that will allow the drugmaker to incorporate real-world insights into its research.