The development of CCX140 for renal diseases will enter the already existing alliance signed between Vifor Pharma, a company of the Galenica Group, and ChemoCentryx. The experimental drug is an orally-administered inhibitor of the chemokine receptor CCR2 and it has already completed a phase 2 clinical trial in patients with diabetic nephropathy. The project will now focus on the joint development of CCX140 in rare kidney diseases.  Under the terms of the agreement, ChemoCentryx will receive an upfront cash payment of $ 50 million and will be responsible for the clinical development of the candidate product in rare renal diseases.