(Reuters) -Zenas BioPharma said on Wednesday it has secured global rights to develop and commercialize an experimental drug from China-based InnoCare Pharma for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions under a licensing deal potentially worth more than $2 billion.

The deal grants Zenas worldwide rights to the drug, orelabrutinib, outside oncology. The U.S.-based drug developer will pay up to $100 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments and issue up to 7 million shares of common stock to InnoCare.

The agreement also covers two additional drug candidates, both slated for early-stage trials next year.

Orelabrutinib is being tested in a late-stage trial for a type of multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, with another due to begi

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