Aligos Therapeutics has reached an agreement with hepatology-focused biopharma company Amoytop, obtaining $25 million in upfront cash in exchange for granting rights in Greater China to its phase 2-stage chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) treatment. The deal expands an existing relationship between the two companies, which previously collaborated on a preclinical antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) program targeting HBV infection.
The latest agreement focuses on pevifoscorvir sodium, a capsid assembly modulator (CAM-E). Aligos is currently evaluating the therapy in a phase 2 clinical trial, where it is being tested head-to-head against tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, a widely used antiviral marketed by Gilead under the name Viread. Topline results from this study are expected next year.
According to Aligos, pevifoscorvir sodium has dual mechanisms of action that work to prevent HBV DNA integration and reduce the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) reservoir. Existing nucleos(t)ide analog treatments for HBV are unable to eliminate this reservoir, allowing the virus to continue replicating in liver cells.
Under the terms of the agreement, Amoytop will provide up to $420 million in additional payments tied to clinical, regulatory, and sales milestones. The arrangement also includes tiered royalties in the high single-digit range if pevifoscorvir sodium reaches the market in the licensed territories.
Aligos reported that it entered the year with $77.8 million in cash and stated that the agreement extends its cash runway from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2026.
Amoytop has an established presence in China’s hepatology market through its product Pegbing. The therapy became the first functional cure for HBV to secure approval anywhere when Chinese regulators approved it in October 2025.
Aligos CEO Lawrence Blatt, Ph.D., commented on the collaboration and its potential implications. He indicated that combining pevifoscorvir sodium with Pegbing, along with the ongoing ASO partnership, could support differentiated combination regimens and more personalized treatment approaches for patients with chronic HBV infection across Greater China. Blatt also noted that Amoytop’s position in the market and its commercial organization could support the rollout of the therapy in the region.
Blatt said, “As the leading provider of pegylated interferon for chronic HBV infection in Mainland China, Amoytop is well positioned to commercialize pevifoscorvir sodium across the licensed territories.”
He further stated that Amoytop’s sales infrastructure, focused on hepatology, provides the scale and expertise needed to support broader adoption. He added that the company’s reach in Mainland China is expected to accelerate the development of pevifoscorvir sodium for chronic HBV suppression compared to Aligos developing in the region.
In parallel with this agreement, other developments in HBV treatment are progressing. GSK is gearing up to take its own “functional cure” for HBV to regulators this year after meeting the primary endpoints in two phase 3 studies conducted with Ionis Pharmaceuticals on its ASO therapy, bepirovirsen. Separately, Arbutus reported that its RNA interference therapeutic, imdusiran, has received fast-track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic HBV.
Details of the Aligos China Rights Agreement
Under the terms of the Aligos agreement, the company has granted exclusive rights in China for its HBV drug candidate to a regional partner. The deal includes a $25 million upfront payment, with potential additional milestone payments tied to clinical and regulatory achievements.
This Aligos transaction reflects a growing trend where biotech firms leverage regional licensing deals to fund ongoing research and development.
Strategic Importance of the Aligos Deal
The Aligos agreement is significant because China represents one of the largest markets for hepatitis B treatments globally. By partnering locally, Aligos can accelerate market entry while reducing operational and regulatory burdens.
Additionally, this Aligos move allows the company to focus resources on advancing its pipeline in other global markets.
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
- Editorial Team
