Aligos Therapeutics has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Xiamen Amoytop Biotech Co., Ltd. to develop and commercialize its investigational hepatitis B treatment, pevifoscorvir sodium, across Greater China. The deal marks a significant step in expanding access to new therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a region that carries one of the highest disease burdens globally.
Under the agreement, Aligos will receive an upfront payment of $25 million and could earn up to $420 million in additional clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments. The company is also entitled to tiered royalties on net sales within the licensed territories, which include Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Aligos will retain full rights to develop and commercialize the drug in key global markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan, and South Korea, while maintaining the ability to conduct clinical trials within Greater China.
The partnership is strategically significant given that more than 90 million people in Greater China are living with chronic HBV infection. Amoytop, a leading player in the hepatology market in Mainland China, is expected to leverage its established commercial infrastructure and expertise to accelerate the development and potential uptake of pevifoscorvir sodium in the region. The company is already known for its pegylated interferon therapy, PEGBING®, which may also play a role in future combination treatment approaches.
Pevifoscorvir sodium is being developed as a next-generation capsid assembly modulator (CAM-E), a class of antivirals designed to disrupt multiple stages of the HBV lifecycle. The drug candidate aims not only to inhibit viral replication but also to reduce the persistent viral reservoir known as covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), a key barrier to achieving functional cures in HBV patients.
Currently, the therapy is being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial known as the B-SUPREME study, where it is being compared against the standard-of-care antiviral, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Interim data from the study are expected in the second half of 2026, with topline results anticipated in 2027.
Executives from both companies emphasized the potential of the collaboration to advance innovative HBV treatments. The agreement also builds on an existing relationship between the two firms, particularly in antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) research programs.
The transaction is subject to approval by Amoytop shareholders and is expected to close within approximately 30 days. If finalized, the partnership could play a critical role in shaping the future of HBV treatment in one of the world’s most affected regions.