On Oct. 21, 2021, Ligand Pharmaceuticals announced the signing of a collaboration agreement granting China Resources Double-Crane Pharmaceutical exclusive Asia territorial rights to develop a novel investigational oral COVID-19 antiviral therapeutic compound using Ligandﾒs BEPro technology.

Ligand received an upfront payment in respect of the collaboration, and if the program advanced, clinical and regulatory milestone payments, and tiered royalties on net sales. CRDC was responsible for all costs related to the program.