HZN-003

HZN-003 (formerly MEDI4945) is a preclinical biologic being developed for the treatment of uncontrolled gout. It is a genetically engineered uricase derivative that utilizes optimized uricase and PEGylation technology to break down uric acid into allantoin, a more soluble metabolite that is easily excreted by the kidneys. Originally developed by MedImmune (a subsidiary of AstraZeneca) and licensed to Horizon Therapeutics (now part of Amgen), HZN-003 is designed as a next-generation therapy intended to improve response rates and reduce immunogenicity compared to existing uricase-based treatments like pegloticase. A key feature of its development is the potential for subcutaneous administration, offering a more convenient alternative to the intravenous infusions required by current therapies.