Enhanze™ Technology, a proprietary drug delivery platform using Halozyme’s first approved enzyme, rHuPH20, is our broader technology opportunity that can potentially lead to partnerships with other pharmaceutical companies. When co-formulated with other injectable drugs, Enhanze Technology may facilitate the penetration and dispersion of these drugs by temporarily opening flow channels under the skin.
Molecules as large as 200 nanometers may pass freely through the extracellular matrix, which recovers its normal density within approximately 24 hours, leading to a drug delivery platform which does not permanently alter the architecture of the skin. The principal focus of our Enhanze Technology platform is the use of rHuPH20 to facilitate subcutaneous or intramuscular routes of administration for large molecule biological therapeutics. We are seeking partnerships with pharmaceutical companies that market drugs requiring or benefiting from injection via the subcutaneous or intramuscular routes that could benefit from this technology. In December 2006, we signed our first Enhanze Technology partnership with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. In September 2007, we signed our second Enhanze Technology partnership with Baxter Healthcare Corporation and Baxter Healthcare S.A.
