The recent termination of a licensing deal between IntoCell and ABL Bio has reignited focus on the importance of intellectual property (IP) in the biotech sector. As Korean biotech companies pursue global partnerships and clinical expansion, securing strong patent protection has become central to business credibility and competitiveness.

IntoCell disclosed that ABL Bio unilaterally terminated their agreement for the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate Nexatecan, citing structural similarities with a previously filed Chinese patent and the potential for future IP disputes. While IntoCell maintains that the structure in question is a minor element of its broader platform and does not hinder development, the incident has impacted investor sentiment.

In response, leading Korean biotech firms are actively reinforcing their IP portfolios—securing patents for compounds, therapeutic applications, and manufacturing methods—to protect innovation and strengthen negotiating power in licensing talks.

Alteogen recently completed registration of a U.S. substance patent for ALT-B4, a recombinant hyaluronidase that converts intravenous drugs into subcutaneous formulations. Unlike its earlier process patent, the new patent covers the protein’s structure, offering broader protection. The platform has already been licensed to global firms including MSD and Daiichi Sankyo.

Curacle has filed a global patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for CU71, an oral Alzheimer's candidate designed to stabilize the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Preclinical results show superior cognitive benefits compared to donepezil, and the company aims for broad protection in key global markets.

ENCell submitted a patent for its AAV-based gene therapy platform targeting muscular genetic disorders. The innovation centers on a muscle-specific promoter that minimizes gene expression in off-target organs like the liver and reproductive system—an important safety consideration as gene therapy trials face growing scrutiny worldwide.

Onconic Therapeutics secured a use patent in Australia for Nesuparib, a dual-target PARP and tankyrase inhibitor showing efficacy in tumors resistant to conventional PARP inhibitors. The patent is part of a broader portfolio filed in 21 countries, including the U.S. and EU.

Cellid was granted a European patent for its COVID-19 vaccine platform, covering a production system for replication-deficient adenoviral vectors. The platform underpins both its infectious disease and immuno-oncology pipelines, offering improved stability and independence from foreign vector technologies.

OliX finalized a European substance patent for OLX104C, an siRNA-based treatment for hair loss that reduces androgen receptor expression using its cp-asiRNA platform. The therapy offers a favorable safety profile compared to conventional DHT inhibitors and is now protected across the U.S., Korea, Japan, China, and Europe.

ABL Bio obtained substance patent approvals in the U.S. and Canada for ABL503, a bispecific antibody targeting 4-1BB and PD-L1. Built on the company’s Grabody-T platform, ABL503 is designed to mitigate liver toxicity—an issue in earlier 4-1BB agents—and is currently in Phase 1 trials for solid tumors.

As Korean biotechs deepen their push into global markets, patents are evolving from passive defensive tools into strategic assets—providing validation, market leverage, and long-term value. Building a robust and forward-looking IP framework is increasingly vital to sustain innovation and growth in the highly competitive biotech landscape.