Alteogen licenses out new drug tech to GSK subsidiary

Signed an exclusive license agreement with Tesaro to develop an SC formulation of dostarlimab using Alteogen's novel hyaluronidase utilizing Hybrozym technology

Alteogen has signed a technology out-licensing agreement with a subsidiary of global big pharma, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), based on its Hybrozyme platform.

According to the Financial Supervisory Service on the 20th, Alteogen signed an exclusive license agreement with GSK subsidiary Tesaro for the development and commercialization of a subcutaneous (SC) formulation of the PD-1 immuno-oncology drug ‘Dostalimab’ utilizing the liver hyaluronidase-based SC formulation modification platform ‘ALT-B4’.

Under the agreement, Tesaro obtains exclusive rights to develop and commercialize a subcutaneous formulation of dostarlimab using Alteogen’s Hybrozyme technology. Alteogen will be responsible for supplying ALT-B4 for both clinical and commercial products.

The total contract value is up to USD 285 million (approximately KRW 421 billion). The deal includes a non-refundable upfront payment of USD 20 million (approximately KRW 29.5 billion) and development, regulatory, and sales-based milestone payments of up to USD 265 million (approximately KRW 391.4 billion). Alteogen will also receive additional royalties linked to product sales upon commercialization.

Alteogen's ALT-B4 hydrolyzes hyaluronic acid in the subcutaneous tissue, enabling the conversion of intravenous (IV) formulations into SC formulations. Unlike IV formulations, which require patients to receive injections at the hospital for 4-5 hours, the SC formulation allows patients to self-administer the injection at home in less than 5 minutes.

Alteogen's Hybrozyme platform has proven its competitiveness through multiple licensing agreements with global pharmaceutical companies, including MSD, GSK, AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Sandoz, and Intas. Notably, MSD developed a subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda using ALT-B4, which received approval in the US and Europe last year and has since been launched commercially.