Livzon Acquires Rights to GERD Therapy from Onconic for $127.5 Million

Livzon, a diversified Guangdong pharma, entered a $127.5 agreement for China rights to a gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) therapy from Onconic Therapeutics of Korea. Onconic will receive an upfront payment of $15 million and up to $112.5 million in milestones plus royalties on sales. Zastaprazan is a P-CAB (potassium-competitive acid-blocking) candidate, a class of drugs that is replacing existing PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) for peptic ulcer disease, including GERD. Livzon will have exclusive rights to Zastaprazan in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.