Halozyme/Baxter sign EU Hylenex deal

US health care giant Baxter has exercised its option to market, sell and distribute Halozyme's human recombinant hyaluronidase, Hylenex (rHuPH20), in Europe

The agent, which is designed to enhance the delivery of local anesthetics, contrast agents and subcutaneous fluid replacement had its New Drug Application filed in the US on March 23. Halozyme will next be filing for regulatory approval in the European Union.

In August last year, the two firms first entered an exclusive sales and marketing agreement as equal partners in the commercialization of the drug upon Food and Drug Administration approval. Under the original terms of the agreement, Baxter will fill and finish Hylenex as well as market, distribute and sell the product in the USA and Puerto Rico. Halozyme also granted Baxter a right of first refusal for additional select developmental-stage products and territories. The companies have now added the additional territory of the EU to this partnership.