European patent strengthens project for treatment of Atherosclerosis

European patent strengthens project for treatment
of Atherosclerosis

Karo Bio has received a European patent for the LXR beta-receptor, which
is a new important drug discovery target for treatment of
Atherosclerosis.

The LXR receptor is a nuclear receptor that regulates important cell
functions, like gene regulation, and thereby production of proteins of
importance for cell and organ function. LXR beta can, for example,
increase the production of certain proteins, which remove harmful
cholesterol from blood vessels. The receptor is therefore in focus for
development of new pharmaceuticals for treatment of cardiovascular
diseases. This is the background of the partnership, which Karo Bio
initiated with the international pharmaceutical company Wyeth
Pharmaceuticals in September 2001. The companies will jointly
collaborate for development of new pharmaceuticals for treatment of
Atherosclerosis.

“The collaboration with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has progressed very well”,
says Björn Nilsson, President of Karo Bio. “We have already, in several
areas, laid a foundation for a successful project and with the most
recent patent we further establish our leading position.”

For further information, contact:

Björn Nilsson, Preident
Telephone: +46-8-608 6020

Per Otteskog, Senior Vice President
Telephone: +46-8-608 6018

Background
Karo Bio has operations in Sweden and the United States. The Company
employs 135 people.

Karo Bio has been listed on the Stockholm stock exchange (Reuters:
KARO.ST) since 1998 and maintains a leading position in the field of
drug discovery focused on nuclear receptors. Nuclear receptors are
validated drug targets for a number of clinical indications and the
Company uses proprietary technologies for the development of novel and
improved therapies for major markets. Karo Bio has 400 patent cases
including 128 granted patents.

Karo Bio has drug discovery programs in several therapeutic areas
including men and women’s health care, metabolic disorders such as
obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dermatology and
ophthalmology.

Karo Bio collaborates with major pharmaceutical companies for
development of products and marketing. In these partnerships Karo Bio
receives upfront payments, R&D funding, milestone payments as well as
royalties on net sales when products reach the market.

Karo Bio has strategic pharmaceutical drug discovery partnerships with
Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck & Co., Inc. and Wyeth
Pharmaceuticals.

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This information was brought to you by Waymaker https://www.waymaker.net
The following files are available for download:
https://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/04/16/20020415BIT01200/wkr0001.doc
https://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/04/16/20020415BIT01200/wkr0002.pdf