The Short Answer
Halozyme stock (HALO) is generally considered halal by most Islamic scholars and Sharia screening criteria, with convertible-note leverage as the primary consideration. Halozyme licenses its drug-delivery enzyme technology to pharmaceutical partners in exchange for royalties.
Development and licensing of pharmaceutical drug-delivery technology is a permissible healthcare activity at the activity level. The main consideration is the financial screen: Halozyme has issued convertible senior notes, so the debt-to-market-cap ratio should be verified against the 33% threshold at the time of investment.
Sharia Screening Methodology
Islamic scholars use several criteria to screen stocks:
- Business activity screen: Is the company's primary business halal?
- Debt ratio: Total debt / market cap must be under 33%
- Interest income: Interest income / total revenue must be under 5%
- Haram revenue: Revenue from haram sources must be under 5%
- Receivables ratio: Total receivables / total assets must be under 49–70% (varies by board)
Halozyme's Business Activity
Halozyme generates revenue from:
- ENHANZE royalties: Its recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme enables subcutaneous delivery of partners' biologic drugs
- Milestone payments: Earned as partner programs advance and launch
- Proprietary products: A smaller specialty-products portfolio
This is a permissible healthcare and pharmaceutical-technology business at the activity level.
Concerns to Be Aware Of
1. Convertible-Note Leverage — The Primary Screen
Halozyme has issued convertible senior notes to fund growth and share buybacks. The debt-to-market-cap ratio should be verified against the 33% Sharia threshold at the time of investment, though the company is strongly profitable and highly cash-generative. This is the primary Sharia-screening consideration.
2. Interest-Bearing Instruments
Convertible notes are interest-bearing instruments. Investors who object to any conventional-debt issuance should weigh this even where the debt ratio passes the 33% screen.
3. Partner Concentration
Royalty revenue is concentrated in a relatively small set of partner drugs, and a partner-patent or competitive event could affect results. This is a business consideration rather than a Sharia screen concern.
Financial Ratios (2025)
Based on Halozyme's most recent financial statements:
- Total Debt / Market Cap: Convertible-note leverage — verify against the 33% threshold at the time of investment ⚠️
- Interest Income / Revenue: Under 5% — verify ✅
- Haram Revenue: Negligible (drug-delivery licensing) ✅
- Business Activity: Permissible healthcare / pharma technology ✅
Verdict from Major Screening Agencies
Halozyme stock is generally screened as compliant (halal) with purification, subject to leverage verification by:
- Zoya App — Generally compliant, verify financials ✅
- MSCI Islamic criteria — Generally included subject to ratios ✅
- Most major Sharia advisory boards — Compliant with purification, subject to debt-ratio verification ✅
Bottom Line
Halozyme (HALO) is generally halal with purification for Muslim investors, subject to verifying the debt ratio at the time of investment. The core business — licensing drug-delivery technology — is a permissible healthcare activity. Because Halozyme carries convertible-note leverage, the most important step is confirming the debt-to-market-cap ratio sits below the 33% threshold, then purifying a small portion of any interest income.
For Muslim investors seeking healthcare and biopharma exposure, HALO sits alongside other halal-screened names like Eli Lilly (LLY) and Exelixis (EXEL).
Want to check if another stock is halal? Use our free screener.
Open Halal Checker →