Indivior PLC agreed to buy exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize U.K.-based C4X Discovery Holdings PLC's potential treatment for substance addiction.

Under the agreement, the Richmond, Va.-based Indivior would pay C4X $10 million upfront, with potential milestone payments of up to $284 million.

The deal involves C4X Discovery's drugs, including lead candidate C4X3256, that block the orexin-1 protein in the body to decrease addiction related to opioids, alcohol and psychomotor stimulants such as cocaine.