Aligos Therapeutics licenses investigational HBV capsid modulator pevifoscorvir sodium to Xiamen Amoytop for development and commercialization in Greater China, receiving $25M upfront and up to $420M in milestones, extending Aligos’ runway into Q4 2026.
Written By: Chikkula Pavan Kumar, PharmD
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Aligos Therapeutics has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Xiamen Amoytop Biotech Co., Ltd. for the development and commercialization of pevifoscorvir sodium (ALG-000184) in Greater China, a region with a high burden of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
The agreement covers Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, and includes an upfront payment of $25 million to Aligos, with the potential for up to $420 million in additional milestone payments tied to clinical, regulatory, and commercial achievements, as well as tiered royalties on net sales.
Aligos will retain rights to pevifoscorvir sodium in all other global markets and the option to conduct clinical trials within Greater China. The company expects the transaction to extend its financial runway into the fourth quarter of 2026.
The collaboration aims to accelerate development in a high-prevalence region where more than 90 million people are affected by chronic HBV, leveraging Amoytop’s established presence in the hepatology market, including its leadership in pegylated interferon therapies such as PEGBING.
In a company statement, Lawrence Blatt said the partnership builds on an existing relationship and utilizes Amoytop’s scale and expertise to potentially accelerate development and commercial uptake in the region. He also highlighted the potential for combination approaches involving pevifoscorvir sodium, existing therapies such as PEGBING, and Aligos’ antisense oligonucleotide programs, alongside broader global development strategies.
Sun Li noted that the agreement provides an opportunity to expand the partnership and explore combination regimens that may improve treatment outcomes for patients across Greater China.
Pevifoscorvir sodium is an investigational oral capsid assembly modulator designed to target multiple stages of the HBV lifecycle through dual mechanisms, including inhibition of viral replication and reduction of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), a key driver of persistent infection. Early clinical studies have shown the drug to be well tolerated, with evidence of antiviral activity and reductions in key viral markers, including HBV DNA, RNA, HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcrAg.
The candidate is currently being evaluated in the Phase 2 B-SUPREME trial against tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, with a second interim analysis expected in the second half of 2026 and topline data anticipated in 2027. Regulatory agencies, including the FDA, EMA, and China’s NMPA, have acknowledged a chronic suppressive development pathway for the program. The transaction remains subject to shareholder approval by Amoytop, anticipated within 30 days.
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About the Writer
Chikkula Pavan Kumar, PharmD is a Doctor of Pharmacy with a keen interest in clinical pharmacy, pharmacovigilance, and evidence-based practice. In his words, he is passionate about patient safety and translating complex medical information into clear, research-driven communication.
