Lycera Corp. and Merck have entered into an exclusive research collaboration to discover, develop and commercialize drug candidates to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis, with small molecules that target T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, key mediators of inflammation. Lycera will collaborate with Merck, through an affiliate, on discovery efforts and preclinical development targeting the retinoic acid related orphan rece...