ChemoCentryx To Regain Global Rights For Vercirnon From GlaxoSmithKline

(RTTNews) - ChemoCentryx Inc. (CCXI) said Wednesday that GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK, GSK.L) has returned to ChemoCentryx all rights to vercirnon (also known as Traficet-EN and CCX282), an inhibitor of the chemokine receptor known as CCR9, for all indications, including the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

"We are pleased to have a response from GSK which gives us certainty that vercirnon now returns entirely to ChemoCentryx, and which confers to us many degrees of freedom in deciding this valuable asset's forward path," said CEO Thomas Schall.

In August 2006, ChemoCentryx and GSK entered into a worldwide strategic alliance of which vercirnon was a part. Two other development programs remain under the alliance: CCX354, an inhibitor of the chemokine receptor known as CCR1 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis for which GSK exercised its option for an exclusive license in 2011 and CCX168, an inhibitor of the complement receptor C5a, currently in Phase II development for ANCA vasculitis.