Alteogen Secures Global Competitiveness for Developing Eylea Biosimilar

Optimization of Culture Conditions for Biosimilar Production Patent
Patent Registered in Japan Following Korea, Australia, and Russia

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Alteogen (CEO Park Soon-jae) announced on the 21st that it has registered a patent in Japan for a culture condition method to improve quality and mass production for the production of Aflibercept biosimilar fusion protein.

Following patents in South Korea, Australia, and Russia, the company secured a favorable position by registering the patent in Japan for developing the Aflibercept biosimilar.

An Alteogen official explained, "The patent relates to a production method of the fusion protein Aflibercept, which combines the soluble extracellular domain of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor and the human immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc domain," adding, "The productivity and quality of the fusion protein essential for producing the Aflibercept biosimilar have been improved."

Aflibercept belongs to the VEGF inhibitor class and is indicated for various conditions such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration, macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy associated with diabetic macular edema. It offers higher convenience as it is injected once every 2 to 3 months, compared to Lucentis, which requires monthly injections. According to IQVIA, a pharmaceutical performance data source, Aflibercept has grown by 176.1% over the past five years. Last year, its global market sales reached $6.551 billion (KRW 7.8149 trillion). It is a blockbuster drug that is challenging to develop due to patents on formulations and dosage forms.

An Alteogen representative stated, "The patented technology is a core formulation patent that can improve both productivity and efficacy through temperature control in the culture process of the Aflibercept biosimilar," and added, "We are proceeding with patent registrations worldwide."

They continued, "This patented technology can fundamentally block competitors aiming to develop cost-effective Aflibercept biosimilars," emphasizing, "We expect to strengthen the competitiveness of the Aflibercept biosimilar through this patent and establish ourselves as a global first mover."