Singapore, June 24 -- Japan-based Ono Pharmaceutical Co., and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, in the US, have announced an exclusive collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialisation of Vertex's povetacicept in Japan and South Korea.

Povetacicept is a recombinant fusion protein therapeutic and dual antagonist of the BAFF (B cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation inducing ligand) cytokines with best-in-class potential being studied for the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), primary membranous nephropathy (pMN) and other serious B cell-mediated diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ono will pay Vertex an upfront payment, as well as certain regulatory and commercial mileston...