EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) today announced the signing of a collaboration agreement granting China Resources Double-Crane Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (CRDC) exclusive Asia territorial rights to develop a novel investigational oral COVID-19 antiviral therapeutic compound using Ligand’s BEPro technology. Ligand will receive an upfront payment in respect of the collaboration, and if the program advances, clinical and regulatory milestone payments, and tiered royalties on net sales. CRDC will be responsible for all costs related to the progra