Tesaro, an oncology-focused subsidiary of GSK, has entered into a global licensing agreement with South Korea’s Alteogen to develop a subcutaneous version of its PD-1 inhibitor, dostarlimab. This partnership aims to enhance patient convenience by shifting from traditional intravenous infusions to rapid injections.
Agreement Scope and Innovative Technology Tesaro has secured worldwide rights to utilize Alteogen’s proprietary hyaluronidase enzyme, ALT-B4. Developed using the Hybrozyme platform, this technology allows for the delivery of high-volume biologics into the subcutaneous space, which is typically restricted.
Financial highlights of the collaboration:
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Upfront payment: Alteogen will receive an immediate $20 million.
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Milestone payments: Potential additional payments totaling $265 million, contingent on development and regulatory successes.
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Royalties: Alteogen is entitled to tiered royalties on future global net sales of the subcutaneous formulation.
Strategic Impact and Market Rivalry The development targets Jemperli (dostarlimab), which gained FDA approval in August 2024 for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. By pursuing a subcutaneous option, GSK is positioning itself against major competitors, notably Merck, which successfully launched a subcutaneous version of its blockbuster Keytruda in late 2025.
Alteogen’s role in the industry continues to expand, as the company has previously established similar high-value collaborations with pharmaceutical leaders like AstraZeneca and Merck to modernize their oncology portfolios.