12:32 PM EST, 01/13/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Vera Therapeutics ( VERA ) said Monday it has secured an exclusive license deal with Stanford University for fusion protein targeting BAFF and APRIL, known as VT-109, with therapeutic potential across the spectrum of B cell mediated diseases.

Vera said it will develop and market VT-109 in exchange for undisclosed upfront and milestone payments as part of the agreement.

Vera's lead product candidate is atacicept, a fusion protein that blocks both B-cell Activating Factor (BAFF) and A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL), which stimulate B cells to produce autoantibodies contributing to certain autoimmune diseases, including Berger's disease and lupus nephritis.

The company's shares were down over 10% in recent trading.

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