[Edaily Reporter Hong Ju-yeon ] Alteogen Inc.(196170)announced on the 10th that sales of Keytruda Qlex—which utilizes the company’s subcutaneous (SC) formulation conversion platform, Hybrozyme (ALT-B4)—totaled $168.5 million (approximately 252.8 billion won) based on the June wholesale acquisition cost (WAC). This represents an increase of approximately 34% compared to the previous month.

According to Bloomberg data, Keytruda Qlex accounted for approximately 9% of total Keytruda franchise sales, which include both intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) formulations. This represents a 2 percentage point increase from the previous month’s 7%.

Cumulative sales from January through June of this year are estimated to have exceeded $510 million (approximately 765 billion won). However, since WAC figures are based on wholesale prices, actual sales are expected to be confirmed during MSD’s second-quarter earnings announcement scheduled for the 4th of next month.

Keytruda Qurex is a subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Keytruda, the world’s top-selling anticancer drug, and incorporates Alteogen Inc.’s Hybrozyme technology. Converting intravenous anticancer drugs or immunotherapies to subcutaneous injections reduces administration time, significantly improving patient convenience. Commercialization began in earnest last year following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).