The collaboration is focused on developing potential drug candidates to treat major autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis.
In March 2011, the companies entered into a research collaboration to discover, develop and commercialize small molecules that target T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, key mediators of inflammation.
Lycera president and CEO Kathleen Metters said the achievement demonstrates the team’s progress in moving the program forward to develop novel, oral medicines for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.