SAN DIEGO, Oct. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Halozyme
Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO), a biotechnology company
developing novel oncology and drug-delivery therapies, today
announced the publication of nonclinical data for PEGPH20 in
Clinical Cancer Research, an American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR) journal. PEGPH20 is the PEGylated version of
Halozyme's proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme,
rHuPH20, that temporarily degrades hyaluronan (HA). HA is a
naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan that can accumulate in the
tumor microenvironment (TME) of certain solid tumor types.
The paper further characterizes the biological and physical
changes associated with HA-accumulating (HA-high) tumors in mouse
models demonstrating an association with increased collagen
content, high tumor interstitial pressure (tIP), vascular collapse,
hypoxia, drug resistance and increased metastatic potential.
Treatment with PEGPH20 at the human equivalent dose degraded HA in
the TME reversing these changes, and also depleted an important
proangiogenic growth factor, VEGF-A165, suggesting that treatment
with PEGPH20 may diminish the angiogenic potential of the TME.
"The publication of this preclinical work highlights PEGPH20's
encouraging anti-tumor activity profile through the degradation of
hyaluronan. In addition, for the first time, it presents evidence
that PEGPH20 depletes stores of VEGF-A165, a key proangiogenic
growth factor, suggesting that PEGPH20 may diminish the angiogenic
potential of the tumor microenvironment," said Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive
officer. "These data expand our understanding of the PEGPH20
mechanism of action and provide additional support for the
potential for meaningful clinical responses in high hyaluronan
accumulating tumors."
The accumulation of HA is common in many cancers, particularly
in pancreatic cancer where increased HA accumulation predicts a
less favorable outcome. A Phase 3 study evaluating the ability of
PEGPH20 plus Abraxane® (nab-paclitaxel) and gemcitabine to increase
Progression Free Survival and Overall Survival versus Abraxane and
gemcitabine alone in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
patients, is under way.
Key findings from the Clinical Cancer Research
publication included:
- Accumulation of HA in tumors correlated with high tIP, vascular
collapse, hypoxia, drug resistance and increased metastatic
potential
- HA accumulation also correlated with increased collagen content
and was associated with an increase in α-SMA
- Remodeling of the tumor microenvironment is mediated by the
enzymatic removal of tumor HA
- Treatment with PEGPH20 at the human equivalent dose depleted
tumor-associated VEGF-A165 to an undetectable level
potentially reducing the angiogenic potential of the TME
The paper, titled "Parallel Accumulation of Tumor Hyaluronan,
Collagen, and Other Drivers of Tumor Progression" was published
online in Clinical Cancer Research on September 27, 2018.
About Halozyme
Halozyme Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on
developing and commercializing novel oncology therapies that target
the tumor microenvironment. Halozyme's lead proprietary program,
investigational drug pegvorhyaluronidase alfa (PEGPH20), applies a
unique approach to targeting solid tumors, allowing increased
access of co-administered cancer drug therapies to the tumor in
animal models. PEGPH20 is currently in development for the
treatment of several cancers and has the potential to be used in
combination with different types of cancer therapies. In addition
to its proprietary product portfolio, Halozyme has established
value-driving partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies
including Roche, Baxalta, Pfizer, Janssen, AbbVie, Lilly,
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Alexion for its ENHANZE® drug
delivery technology. Halozyme is headquartered in San Diego. For more information visit
www.halozyme.com.
Halozyme 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, its potential application to improve cancer therapies and
statements concerning future actions relating to the development of
PEGPH20) that involve risk and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are
typically, 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
several factors, including unexpected expenditures and costs,
unexpected results or delays in development and regulatory review,
regulatory approval requirements, unexpected adverse events and
competitive conditions. These and other factors that may result in
differences are discussed in greater detail in the Company's most
recent Annual and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Contacts:
Robert H. Uhl
Managing Director
Westwicke Partners, LLC
858-356-5932
robert.uhl@westwicke.com
Laurie Stelzer
858-704-8222
ir@halozyme.com
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SOURCE Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.