HUDDINGE, Sweden, August 21, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Scientists from Karo Bio (Other OTC:KARBF), together with scientific collaborators, have for the first time shown results that may offer a new approach to treat obesity that constitutes the largest health problem in the western world. The results may also offer new ways to treat hyperlipidemia. These findings have recently (August 19, 2003) been published as a paper in the distinguished scientific journal Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA and the article has already received international recognition.
Obesity has developed into the most serious health problem in the western society, contributing as a major risk factor to increasing incidence of several metabolic disorders such as diabetes, myocardial infarction and stroke. Therefore, there is a huge need for new and effective treatment for obesity. Karo Bio scientists have together with scientific collaborators, now demonstrated, in a number of animal models, including monkeys, that specific activation of the thyroid hormone receptor beta could be a new and promising approach to treat obesity. It is well established that thyroid hormone increases body metabolism that leads to weight loss. However, thyroid hormone is not attractive as a drug due to adverse effects on cardiac function. The paper describes for the first time that these cardiac side effect can be avoided by using selective synthetic compounds. The experimental compound KB 141, selective for the thyroid hormone receptor beta, reduced body weight with up to seven percent in monkeys after only one week of treatment without any detectable stimulation of the heart. The compound also significantly lowered cholesterol and reduced the level of lipoprotein (a), both factors also strongly associated with risk for developing metabolic disorders. Together these results show that selective agonists of thyroid hormone receptors have the potential to become new pharmaceutical classes for treatment of obesity and hypercholesterolemia.
"I am very impressed by the convincing results towards treating obesity that we have generated," says Bjorn Nilsson, President & Chief Executive Officer of Karo Bio. "I am also intrigued by the effects on cholesterol lowering and on lipoprotein (a) since they, apart from obesity, open up new possibilities to treat hyperlipidemia with selective activators of thyroid hormone receptors. Together these results provide important commercial opportunities for present and future Karo Bio programs."
Facts about Karo Bio
Karo Bio has operations in Sweden and the United States. The Company has 124 employees.
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 368 patent cases including 120 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 the development of products and marketing. In these collaborations Karo Bio receives upfront payments, R&D funding and milestone payments, as well as royalties on net sales when products reach the market.
Karo Bio has strategic pharmaceutical drug discovery collaborations with Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck & Co., Inc. and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
This press release is also available online at www.karobio.com and at www.waymaker.net.
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http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/21/20030821BIT00370/wkr0001.doc
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/21/20030821BIT00370/wkr0002.pdf