GSK- Pfizer's ViiV To Develop 'Ultra-Long-Acting' HIV Drugs With $215M Halozyme Deal

GlaxoSmithKline plc (NYSE:GSK), Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE), and Shionogi Limited owned ViiV Healthcare has collaborated with Halozyme Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:HALO) to gain access to Halozyme's Enhanze drug delivery technology for use against four HIV targets.
ViiV Healthcare will pay $40 million upfront and up to $175 million in milestones, as well as mid-single-digit royalties on future sales.
Enhanze technology uses a recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 enzyme to temporarily break down a barrier under the skin to allow large amounts of fluid to be injected into the subcutaneous space.
Therefore, drugs that are otherwise given in high doses by intravenous injections could be converted into subcutaneous injectables, offering convenience for patients.
Plans are underway to initiate the first experiments with the technology by the end of 2021 for investigational, long-acting cabotegravir to prevent HIV, which is currently administered every two months.
Price Action: HALO shares closed at $42.17 on Monday.