AstraZeneca and Alteogen Sign License Agreement for Developing Subcutaneous Formulations of Oncology Assets

AstraZeneca has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Alteogen, a Korea-based bio venture company, in which AstraZeneca will gain access to Alteogen’s novel hyaluronidase-utilizing Hybrozyme platform technology, ALT-B4. Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will acquire worldwide rights to use ALT-B4 for the development and commercialization of subcutaneous formulations of several oncology assets in AstraZeneca’s portfolio (1).

Through the agreement, Alteogen will be responsible for clinical and commercial supply of ALT-B4 to AstraZeneca, and AstraZeneca will make an upfront payment to Alteogen as well as additional payments should specific development, regulatory, and sales-related milestones be achieved. Alteogen will also receive royalties on the sales of commercialized products.

“We are dedicated to advancing new medicines for people with cancer and that includes new methods of delivery which are more convenient for patients, physicians and healthcare systems,” said Cristian Massacesi, chief medical officer and Oncology chief development officer, AstraZeneca, in a March 17, 2025 company press release (1). “We look forward to collaborating with Alteogen on several assets in our portfolio with the goal of bringing new subcutaneous options to patients that can transform the way cancer care is delivered.”

Alteogen’s ALT-B4 is a proprietary human recombinant hyaluronidase enzyme that was developed using Hybrozyme technology. ALT-B4 is designed to enable the large-volume subcutaneous administration of parenteral drugs typically administered as an intravenous infusion. ALT-B4 works by temporarily hydrolyzing hyaluronan within the extracellular matrix. Hyaluronan is a major component of the extracellular matrix that plays a key role in regulating inflammation (2). Developing subcutaneous formulations for oncology therapies offers potential advantages, including time savings for patients, clinical staff, and health systems as a result of shorter administration times (1).

“We are excited to expand our Hybrozyme [t]echnology by collaborating with AstraZeneca in their development of novel subcutaneous cancer medicines to meet the needs of patients,” said Soon Jae Park, PhD, CEO, Alteogen, in the press release. 

In other news, AstraZeneca announced a large-scale investment in China to boost life sciences R&D and manufacturing. On March 21, 2025, the company said it plans to invest $2.5 billion in Beijing over the next five years under which it will establish a new global strategic R&D center. The investment will support both major research and manufacturing agreements that will further advance life sciences in China (3).

The investment is part of a strategic partnership that AstraZeneca has with the Beijing Municipal Government and the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area Administrative Office. The investment includes agreements with the biotech companies Harbour BioMed, Syneron Bio, and BioKangtai.

References

1. AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca Enters License Agreement with Alteogen for Subcutaneous Formulations of Multiple Oncology Assets. Press Release. March 17, 2025.
2. Petrey, A. C.; de la Motte, C. A. Hyaluronan, a Crucial Regulator of Inflammation. Front. Immunol. 2014, 5,101. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00101
3. AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca to Invest $2.5 Billion in New Global Strategic R&D Centre, Biotech Agreements and Manufacturing in Beijing. Press Release. March 21, 2025.