Alteogen, a company specializing in next-generation biobetters, said on Tuesday that it obtained a U.S. patent regarding its proprietary antibody technology.

In particular, the patent covers the technology of the antibody which specifically bind to the folate receptor alpha (FOLR1). 

The patent was granted after being filed through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application in 2019.

According to the company, FOLR1, which is relevant to the content of the patent, is an antigen that is overexpressed in ovarian cancer and certain epithelial-derived cancers, including breast, lung, and kidney cancers. Currently, ten drugs are being developed to target this receptor in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

Alteogen has developed an antibody with improved binding ability compared to existing antibodies through amino acid substitution and has received approval for a U.S. patent for this innovation. The company expects that ADCs utilizing this invention will have more effective targeting capabilities and therapeutic effects.

"We are focusing on the potential of ADCs, and this patent is another step in that direction to pursue various forms of adaptation, including ADC SC formulations in combination with our hybrozyme platform," said a spokesperson from Alteogen. "We are also exploring the use of ADCs in combination with hyaluronidase to improve the therapeutic window of these highly toxic but effective drugs."

Alteogen expects to launch a total of five products by 2025, including its own products and technology exports.