Agreements

Karo Bio AB and 4D Science GmbH have entered into a research collaboration to develop novel treatments for fibrotic diseases, based on a recent discoveries made by Dr. Jörg Distler. 4D Science GmbH is a biotechnology company founded by Dr. Jörg Distler at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Dr. Jörg Distler’s research group has recently discovered that a specific nuclear receptor plays a key role in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases.

The collaboration will initially focus on generating additional data further validating the nuclear receptor as a target in fibrosis and demonstrating its druggability. Karo Bio will carry out the collaboration work within the scope of its current operations. The two parties will share costs and rewards for the collaboration program.

Fibrosis is the accumulation of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue. Cardiac, renal, and pulmonary fibrosis together with hepatic cirrhosis contribute to approximately 40 per cent of deaths in the industrial world. A common mechanism for fibrotic diseases regardless of which organs are involved, is excessive accumulation of collagen-rich scar tissue. In severe forms of fibrosis, uncontrolled deposition of scar tissue leads to organ failure and death.