Karo Bio Enters Collaboration with Pfizer to Discover and Develop Innovative Drugs for Autoimmune Diseases

03-Jan-2012 - Sweden

Karo Bio AB has entered into a research collaboration agreement with Pfizer Inc., to discover and develop novel small molecule RORgamma modulators for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Under the agreement, Pfizer will provide full funding for the research costs and have the exclusive right to market any products that may be developed as a result of the collaboration. Karo Bio may receive up to USD $217 million in upfront and milestone payments in addition to potential royalty fees.

The nuclear hormone receptor RORgamma is a novel attractive target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. RORgamma directly controls the production and secretion of the cytokine IL-17, a major contributor to inflammation. The receptor’s key role in driving disease pathology has been implicated through clinical studies using monoclonal antibodies that neutralize IL-17 activity.

Karo Bio has developed a proprietary RORgamma drug discovery program and has discovered novel, potent, and specific RORgamma modulators.

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