Alteogen announced that its recombinant human hyaluronidase product, Tergase, has been named the Best Biotechnology Product at the 2026 Prix Galien Korea Awards.
The company reported on Friday that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeon Tae-yeon attended the inaugural Prix Galien Korea Forum and Awards Ceremony at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on Thursday to accept the honor.
Prix Galien is a prestigious global awards program that recognizes groundbreaking pharmaceuticals and medical technologies. This year marked the first Prix Galien Korea event, which honored winners in five categories: Best Pharmaceutical Product, Best Biotechnology Product, Best Medical Technology, Best Digital Health Solution, and Best Startup.
Tergase is a standalone product featuring ALT-B4, a recombinant human hyaluronidase developed in-house by Alteogen. The product received approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in July 2024 and hit the domestic market later that year.
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that temporarily breaks down hyaluronic acid in the extracellular matrix, increasing the permeability of subcutaneous tissue. It’s used to enhance the penetration and diffusion of drugs during subcutaneous and intramuscular injections or with local anesthetics.
Traditional animal-derived hyaluronidase has faced challenges due to quality inconsistencies and potential immune or allergic reactions stemming from its animal tissue extraction process. Alteogen touts Tergase’s high purity, consistent quality, and low immunogenicity, attributes of its genetically engineered human hyaluronidase production method.
The company reports that clinical trials for domestic product approval showed no detection of anti-drug antibodies (ADA) following Tergase administration.
Tergase’s key ingredient, ALT-B4, was developed using Alteogen’s proprietary subcutaneous injection formulation platform, Hybrorzyme. ALT-B4 is crucial in converting intravenous medications to subcutaneous formulations, significantly improving patient convenience.
Alteogen is currently leveraging ALT-B4 to develop subcutaneous formulations for various drugs, including Keytruda, Enhertu, and Dupixent, through technology export agreements with global pharmaceutical giants.
The commercialization of Tergase marks a significant milestone for Alteogen, demonstrating its ability to translate its ALT-B4 platform technology into marketable pharmaceuticals. This achievement expands the company’s scope from research and development (R&D) to production, quality control, and commercialization.
Alteogen is also conducting research to expand Tergase’s indications and applications. The company is exploring additional uses in injection therapy and pain management through investigator-initiated clinical trials while pursuing international approvals and market entry through bridging studies.
It’s deeply honored that Tergase has been recognized as the Best Biotechnology Product at Prix Galien, said CEO Jeon. This achievement is a testament to the tireless efforts of every member of Alteogen who has worked diligently to develop innovative technologies and products.
He added that Tergase represents the successful realization of Alteogen’s unique platform technology into a tangible product, offering new options for patients and healthcare providers. It remains committed to delivering superior treatment options through the differentiated technologies and products.
ALT-B4 is Alteogen’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase, developed using the company’s Hybrozyme platform technology.
Hyaluronidase temporarily breaks down hyaluronic acid in tissues, facilitating the smooth diffusion and absorption of co-administered drugs in subcutaneous tissues.
This enzyme enables the conversion of certain biopharmaceuticals from intravenous to subcutaneous injection formulations, reducing administration time and enhancing patient convenience.
