Akebia, Otsuka add territories to vadadustat deal

Akebia Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:AKBA) gained $2.59 (28%) to $11.96 in after-hours trading Tuesday after announcing an expansion to its license agreement granting Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) rights to chronic kidney disease (CKD) candidate vadadustat (formerly AKB-6548).

The expanded deal gives Otsuka exclusive rights to vadadustat in Europe, China, Canada, Australia and the Middle East. Otsuka already held co-exclusive rights to the candidate in the U.S...