Alteogen grants worldwide rights to ALT-B4 platform in US$365M hybrozyme expansion

SOUTH KOREA—South Korean biopharmaceutical company Alteogen has signed an exclusive licensing agreement worth up to US$365m with a global pharmaceutical company to develop and commercialise a subcutaneous biologic product using its proprietary Hybrozyme technology.

Under the agreement, the unnamed pharmaceutical company will receive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise a product incorporating ALT-B4 (berahyaluronidase alfa), a recombinant human hyaluronidase developed using Alteogen’s Hybrozyme platform.

Hybrozyme technology enables subcutaneous delivery

Alteogen designed Hybrozyme to help convert biologic medicines that are traditionally administered through intravenous infusion into subcutaneous formulations.

The approach could allow certain treatments to be delivered through an injection under the skin rather than through an intravenous infusion.

ALT-B4 temporarily breaks down hyaluronan, a component of the extracellular matrix, at the site of injection.

This process creates space in the tissue, helping medicines administered alongside ALT-B4 disperse and enter the bloodstream more efficiently.

The licensed technology will therefore support the development of subcutaneous versions of biologic medicines that would otherwise require intravenous administration.

Alteogen to receive upfront payment and royalties

As part of the agreement, Alteogen will receive an upfront payment from its licensing partner.

The South Korean company will also be eligible for additional payments tied to development, regulatory and commercial milestones.

In addition, Alteogen will receive royalties based on net sales of products that the partner commercialises using ALT-B4.

The agreement grants the partner exclusive rights to use the technology worldwide for the licensed product.

Tae-Yon Chun, CEO of Alteogen, said the company was pleased to partner with a global pharmaceutical leader with a long-standing commitment to developing innovative treatments for patients with serious unmet medical needs.

“We will continue to accelerate the growth of our platform technology through strategic global partnerships,” Chun said.

Alteogen expands Hybrozyme partnerships

Founded in 2008, Alteogen develops and commercialises biologic medicines and technologies, including antibody-drug conjugates, biobetters and biosimilars.

The company also has clinical-stage programmes focused on long-acting therapeutic proteins and next-generation antibody-drug conjugates.

Its technology portfolio includes the NexP-fusion and NexMab platforms, which the company uses to develop next-generation biologic therapies.

Hybrozyme remains a key part of Alteogen’s technology portfolio.

The platform is designed to enable subcutaneous administration of medicines that are traditionally delivered intravenously by using recombinant human hyaluronidase to facilitate drug absorption and distribution.

The company has also expanded the commercial reach of ALT-B4 through partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies.

 In March 2025, AstraZeneca entered an exclusive licensing agreement with Alteogen to use ALT-B4, developed through the Hybrozyme platform, to develop subcutaneous formulations of several oncology medicines.

The latest agreement adds another global licensing partnership to Alteogen’s Hybrozyme business and provides its pharmaceutical partner with access to technology designed to support the development of more convenient subcutaneous biologic formulations.