Estrogen Receptors – Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck and Karo Bio have a collaboration in the field of estrogen receptors. Estrogen receptors are important targets for several diseases in the field of women's health. The joint drug discovery phase concluded in 2002, with Merck responsible for development of selected compounds. The candidate compound from the collaboration that entered Phase I clinical development in 2006 has been discontinued. A backup compound has been selected for preclinical development.

Atherosclerosis – Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
The collaboration with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals is aimed at new treatments of athero¬sclerosis with the liver X receptor (LXR) as a target. Preclinical studies have shown that compounds which stimulate LXR have anti-atherogenic effects. Preclinical evaluation is ongoing and the research collaboration has recently been extended for one year until August 31, 2008.

Inflammation – Zydus Cadila
Since February 2008 Karo Bio and Zydus Cadila, one of India’s leading healthcare companies, has initiated a three year strategic drug discovery and development collaboration. The companies will collaborate to discover and develop novel, selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulators for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Karo Bio will leverage its expertise in nuclear receptor drug discovery including structural biology, drug design and compound characterisation. Zydus Cadila will leverage its expertise in carrying out a focused drug discovery and development programme, starting from pre-clinical candidate selection, undertaking pre-clinical studies, filing of the Investigational New Drug Application and human clinical trials. Both parties will equally share risk and rewards in the collaboration programme.