Halozyme Therapeutics and Incyte have entered into a global collaboration and licensing agreement to develop additional subcutaneous formulations of Incyte’s investigational blood cancer therapy INCA033989, with the aim of making treatment more convenient for patients with certain rare blood disorders.
The partnership will combine Incyte’s first-in-class monoclonal antibody with Halozyme’s proprietary ENHANZE® drug delivery technology, which is designed to enable medicines that are traditionally administered intravenously to be delivered through a subcutaneous injection.
Financial terms of the agreement were not fully disclosed, but Halozyme said it will receive an upfront payment from Incyte and could earn additional milestone payments tied to the development and commercialization of the therapy. The company will also be eligible to receive royalties on future net sales of any commercial products developed using its ENHANZE platform.
In addition, the agreement gives Incyte the option to nominate up to two additional drug targets for development using Halozyme’s technology, potentially expanding the collaboration beyond the initial program.
The partnership centers on INCA033989, an investigational monoclonal antibody currently being developed to treat myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) driven by mutations in the calreticulin (CALR) gene.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms are a group of rare blood cancers in which the bone marrow produces excessive numbers of blood cells. Patients often experience symptoms such as fatigue, enlarged spleen, blood clotting complications, and an increased risk of progression to more aggressive blood cancers.
Mutations in the CALR gene are among the most common genetic abnormalities found in certain types of MPNs. INCA033989 is designed to specifically target the mutant form of the calreticulin protein, making it one of the first therapies developed to directly address this disease-causing mutation while potentially sparing healthy cells.
The companies said the collaboration will evaluate whether Halozyme’s ENHANZE technology can further strengthen the subcutaneous formulation already under development for INCA033989. The goal is to enable simpler administration and more convenient dosing schedules that could improve the overall treatment experience for patients.
Subcutaneous drug delivery has become an increasingly important focus across the pharmaceutical industry because it can reduce treatment times, eliminate or shorten intravenous infusions, and allow medicines to be administered in outpatient settings or potentially at home. Such approaches may improve patient comfort while reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
Halozyme’s ENHANZE platform uses recombinant human hyaluronidase to temporarily modify the tissue beneath the skin, allowing larger volumes of biologic medicines to be delivered through a single injection. The technology has already been incorporated into several approved therapies developed in partnership with major pharmaceutical companies across oncology, immunology, and other therapeutic areas.
Helen Torley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Halozyme Therapeutics, said the latest agreement further demonstrates the growing adoption of the company’s drug delivery technology.
“This collaboration with Incyte underscores the continued momentum and broad applicability of our ENHANZE technology across high-value therapeutic areas,” Torley said.
She added that Incyte’s expertise in hematology makes it an ideal partner for advancing more patient-friendly treatment options.
“Incyte has built a strong portfolio in hematologic diseases, and we look forward to working together to support the development of more convenient subcutaneous therapies for patients,” Torley said. “This agreement builds on Halozyme’s established track record of successful collaborations with leading biopharmaceutical companies while further diversifying our portfolio of partnered programs.”
For Incyte, the collaboration supports its strategy of improving the delivery of innovative therapies while expanding treatment options for patients with difficult-to-treat blood cancers.
Although INCA033989 remains in clinical development and has not yet been approved by regulatory authorities, the agreement highlights continued industry interest in combining targeted therapies with advanced drug delivery technologies to improve patient outcomes and treatment convenience.
If successful, the collaboration could lead to a more accessible and patient-friendly administration option for individuals living with CALR-mutated myeloproliferative neoplasms while also opening the door for future applications of ENHANZE technology across additional hematology programs.