Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has informed its research partner, the German-based Karo Bio, that development of Liver X Receptor (LXR)-623 has been discontinued. While LXR-623 demonstrated efficacy on biomarkers for atherosclerosis, it had an unfavorable profile for further development. However, the companies are still targeting the LXR technology to develop new treatments for atherosclerosis.

"Unfortunately, compounds do fail in the process, but this is part of the development of pharmaceuticals,” said Per Olof Wallström, president of Karo Bio.

Karo Bio and Wyeth will remain committed to their research partnership, which was recently extended until Aug. 31, 2008.