** Drug developer Monopar Therapeutics' shares up 13% at $5.25 premarket

** Company signs agreement with AstraZeneca unit Alexion for the license to AZN's experimental drug being tested for Wilson disease, a rare genetic condition that causes the buildup of toxic copper levels

** Monopar will be responsible for future global development and drug commercialization activities

** Under deal terms, Monopar will pay Alexion an upfront in cash and equity in Monopar

** As of last close, Monopar stock has more than tripled YTD

(Reporting by Sruthi Narasimha Chari in Bengaluru)

((Sruthinarasimha.chari@thosmonreuters.com))