Karo Bio Progress in Eprotirome (KB2115) Development
? Eprotirome approved as generic name for KB2115
? The continued clinical development of eprotirome is progressing
according to plan. All patients in a new phase IIb study have been
enrolled and the dosing has been initiated
? Important scientific data from Karo Bio’s first clinical
study with eprotirome was recently published in the American
Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The
publication received significant international attention.
HUDDINGE, Sweden, Jan. 17, 2008--Eprotirome (new generic name
for KB2115) is a new compound that lowers high blood lipid levels
by activating the thyroid hormone receptor in the liver. Data from
the first two week study in 24 patients with elevated cholesterol
levels have now been published in PNAS with the title “The
thyroid hormone mimetic compound KB2115 lowers plasma low density
protein (LDL) cholesterol without cardiac effects in
man”.
The results represent a break through in the field. For the first
time it has been possible to show in man, that a drug that activate
the thyroid hormone receptor can induce a significant lowering of
blood cholesterol levels (up to 40%) without negative effects on
the heart.
As previously reported in June last year Karo Bio has also
completed a larger 12 week study on 99 patients with primary
dyslipidemia. The results showed that eprotirome was effective with
significant lowering of risk factors like total cholesterol, LDL
cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein(a). All patients
responded to treatment and eprotirome was well tolerated.
The clinical phase IIb programme is now continuing with a study in
172 patients where eprotirome is given concomitantly with statins.
All patients have been enrolled and the dosing has been initiated.
Most high risk patients do not reach their LDL target levels with
statin treatment alone. Thus, there is a great need for new and
effective drugs like eprotirome.
“We are encouraged by the progress in the development of
eprotirome and by the international attention our compound is
receiving. The results from the ongoing phase IIb study will be
crucial for our partnering plans and phase III development. We
expect to present the key data during the third quarter of
2008”, says Per Olof Wallström, President of Karo
Bio.
For further information, please contact:
Per Olof Wallström, President & Chief Executive
Officer
Telephone: +46 8 608 6020
Per Otteskog, Senior Vice President
Telephone: +46 8 608 6018
Facts about Karo Bio
Karo Bio is a drug discovery and development company specializing
in nuclear receptors for the development of novel pharmaceuticals
with focus on metabolic diseases.
The company has expanded from being a drug discovery company by
adding in-house preclinical and clinical development resources and
competence for development of drugs to treat metabolic diseases.
The company has a strong project portfolio with innovative
molecules that primarily targets diseases such as diabetes,
atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia. In all of these areas there are
significant market opportunities and a growing need for new
pharmaceuticals with new mechanisms of action.
In addition to the proprietary projects Karo Bio has two strategic
collaborations with international pharmaceutical companies and one
biotech collaboration for development of innovative therapies for
the treatment of common diseases.
Karo Bio is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm AB since
1998 (Reuters: KARO.ST). This press release is also available
online at: www.karobio.se and www.newsroom.cision.com
Posted: January 2008
