07:44 AM EDT, 10/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- XORTX Therapeutics ( XRTX ) which has surged 45% higher in New York trading, said Friday it is acquiring a renal anti-fibrotic therapeutic program from Vectus Biosystems, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, for US$3 million in shares.

The program, which includes a new chemical entity, VB4-P5, and its intellectual property, regulatory documentation, and manufacturing data, is currently at the pre-IND (Investigational New Drug) stage of development and targets both rare and prevalent forms of kidney disease.

"The opportunity to acquire the VB4-P5 program was highly compelling," said chief executive Allen Davidoff.

"This program is underpinned by a novel, patented small molecule with robust global patent protection and strong preclinical evidence. It is directly aligned with our strategic focus on developing innovative therapies for progressive kidney disease, and it builds upon our mission to bring new classes of treatments to patients suffering from rare renal disorders."

Xortx is up $0.39, to $1.25, in U.S. pre-market trading.