CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
July 2015—Halozyme Therapeutics and Ventana Medical Systems announced a global agreement to collaborate on the development of a companion diagnostic assay for use with Halozyme’s investigational new drug, PEGPH20, which Ventana would ultimately commercialize.
The Ventana assay will be used to identify high levels of hyaluronan, or HA, a glycosaminoglycan that can accumulate around cancer cells. Halozyme announced plans for a rollout of a global phase three clinical study in 2016 targeting metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with high HA levels using its PEGPH20 in combination with Abraxane (nab-paclitaxel) and gemcitabine.
Under the agreement, Ventana will develop an in vitro diagnostic, under design control, using Halozyme’s proprietary HA binding protein, with the intent of submitting it for regulatory approval in the U.S., Europe, and other countries.
Ventana, 520-887-2155
Halozyme, 858-794-8889