XOMA Reports First Quarter 2010 Financial Results

BERKELEY, Calif., May 6, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XOMA Ltd. (Nasdaq:XOMA), a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2010 and provided a general business update.

"The first months of 2010 were highlighted by progress on multiple fronts with our lead candidate, XOMA 052, an anti-inflammatory antibody -- enrolling diabetes patients in three Phase 2 clinical trials designed to include more than 400 patients, reporting groundbreaking in vivo and in vitro results in cardiovascular disease and cancer, respectively, and expanding our patent portfolio relating to IL-1 beta antibodies," said Steven B. Engle, XOMA's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "In parallel, we continued to pursue new antibody discovery and development license and collaborative arrangements, advance our XOMA 3AB anti-botulinum toxin antibody and develop our proprietary preclinical pipeline in autoimmune, cardio-metabolic, inflammatory and oncologic diseases."

XOMA had total revenues of $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared with $39.7 million in the first quarter of 2009. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a $27.5 million fee recognized in the first quarter of 2009 related to the company's expanded collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. In addition, royalty revenue decreased by $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the first quarter of 2009 primarily due to the sale of XOMA's royalty interest in LUCENTIS(R) in the third quarter of 2009 and the withdrawal of RAPTIVA(R) from the market earlier in 2009. XOMA had a net loss of $21.8 million, or $0.09 per share, in the 2010 first quarter compared with net income of $6.2 million, or $0.04 per share, in the first quarter of 2009.

At March 31, 2010, XOMA had cash and cash equivalents of $28.4 million, compared with $23.9 million at December 31, 2009. In January and February 2010, XOMA received approximately $21.0 million in proceeds from financing transactions, after underwriting discounts, expenses and an amendment fee to certain existing warrant holders.

Recent Highlights

  --  Clinical studies of XOMA 052 initiated: XOMA initiated a Phase 2b
      dose-ranging trial designed to evaluate XOMA 052 in patients with Type 2
      diabetes on stable metformin therapy. The primary outcome is reduction
      in glycosylated hemoglobin, or HbA1c, compared to baseline after six
      months of treatment. Additional diabetic outcomes and biomarkers of
      cardiovascular risk will also be evaluated. Top line results from the
      Phase 2b trial are currently expected in the first quarter of 2011.
      Interim results from the ongoing 80 patient Phase 2a clinical trial  of
      XOMA 052 in Type 2 diabetes patients are currently expected in the 2010
      fourth quarter.

A Phase 2 trial to evaluate XOMA 052 in Type
      1 diabetes patients was initiated and is designed to evaluate its
      effects on beta cell function and insulin production over six months.
      Funding for the trial is being provided by the Juvenile Diabetes
      Research Foundation.

  --  New positive in vivo and clinical results presented on IL-1 targeting in
      cardiovascular disease: In vivo results were presented at the American
      College of Cardiology (ACC) Annual Scientific Session showing, in an
      animal model of heart attack, that a murine equivalent of XOMA 052
      significantly reduced adverse consequences that can lead to the
      development of congestive heart failure. Also at the ACC meeting, the
      first results were presented from patients with acute cardiac events who
      then received anakinra, an approved IL-1 targeting agent, showing
      patients treated with Kineret(R) (anakinra) had improved post-heart
      attack outcomes compared with placebo-treated patients. These results
      demonstrate the potential for targeting the IL-1 pathway to reduce the
      inflammation that can lead to post-heart attack complications and to
      improved recovery.

  --  In vitro results show impact of XOMA 052 on key myeloma factor:
      Extending the potential application of IL-1 beta targeting to oncology,
      an independent investigator presented results at the American
      Association of Cancer Research annual meeting showing that XOMA 052 was
      highly effective in vitro in reducing production of a protein, IL-6,
      that drives the proliferation of cancerous myeloma cells, using cells
      from myeloma patients.

  --  New U.S. patents issued relating to IL-1 beta antibodies: Two new U.S.
      patents were issued to XOMA, one covering methods of treating Type 2
      diabetes with high affinity IL-1 beta antibodies including XOMA 052, and
      one covering methods of treating IL-1 related inflammatory diseases with
      XOMA 052 and other antibodies with similar binding properties for IL-1
      beta. With these patents, the intellectual property portfolio for XOMA
      052 includes four issued patents in the U.S. and one granted patent in
      Europe. More than 40 additional applications are pending in the U.S. and
      other countries.

  --  Takeda pays milestone: XOMA received a $1 million milestone payment from
      Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for achieving a pre-established
      preclinical milestone under the companies' 2006 collaboration agreement,
      which also calls for additional future milestone payments and royalties
      on product sales.

Additional First Quarter Financial Results

XOMA's total revenues in the first quarter of 2010 also included $6.8 million in contract and other revenue, as compared with $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2009. Research and development expense for the first quarter of 2010 was $17.6 million, compared with $16.5 million in the same period of 2009. This increase was primarily due to increased spending on XOMA 052 related to the initiation of the Phase 2 clinical program. Selling, general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2010 were $5.6 million, compared with $6.1 million for the same period last year.

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2010 was $0.1 million compared with $1.8 million for the same period of 2009. This decrease was primarily due to the repayment of the Goldman Sachs loan in September 2009. Other income (expense) was ($5.8 million) in the 2010 first quarter compared with nominal income in the first quarter of 2009. This increase was primarily related to $4.5 million paid in the first quarter of 2010 to the holders of warrants issued in June 2009 upon modification of the warrant terms, and a $1.3 million expense relating to the revaluation of our warrant liabilities during the period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash used in operating activities during the first quarter of 2010 was $16.4 million compared with cash provided by operating activities of $15.3 million during the first quarter of 2010. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in the 2010 period was primarily due to a decrease in revenue receipts for license and collaborative fees and royalties. In the first quarter of 2009, we received $23.2 million related to the expansion of our existing collaboration with Takeda, and recognized royalty revenue from sales of LUCENTIS(R) and RAPTIVA(R) of $4.6 million.

Guidance

The company will not be providing specific guidance on overall revenues or cash receipts for 2010 so as to best manage its ongoing negotiations for XOMA 052 and technology licensing and in light of general economic and market conditions. The company expects that cash used in operating activities in 2010 may range from $45 million to cash neutral or positive.

NASDAQ Status

As previously announced, in March 2010, XOMA received a Staff Determination letter from the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC indicating that the company has not regained compliance with the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on The NASDAQ Global Market, pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). As a result, the company's common shares would have been subject to delisting from The NASDAQ Global Market unless XOMA requested a hearing before a NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel to present its plan for regaining compliance, which the company has done. The delisting of the company's common shares has therefore been stayed pending issuance of the Panel's decision following the hearing.

Pursuant to Listing Rule 5815(c), the Panel has the authority to grant XOMA up to an additional 180 days from the date of the Staff Determination letter of March 16, 2010 (i.e., until September 13, 2010) to regain compliance. However, there can be no assurance that the Panel will grant XOMA's request for continued listing on The NASDAQ Global Market.

Investor Conference Call

XOMA will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its first quarter 2010 financial results today, May 6, 2010, at 4:30 pm ET. The webcast can be accessed via the Investors section of XOMA's website at http://investors.xoma.com/events.cfm and will be available for replay until close of business on August 6, 2010.

About XOMA

XOMA discovers, develops and manufactures novel antibody therapeutics for its own proprietary pipeline as well as through license and collaborative agreements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and under its contracts with the U.S. government. The company's proprietary product pipeline includes:

  --  XOMA 052, an antibody to IL-1 beta in Phase 2 clinical development for
      Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, with
      potential for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory
      conditions.

  --  XOMA 3AB, an antibody candidate in pre-IND studies to neutralize the
      botulinum toxin, among the most deadly potential bioterror threats,
      under development through funding provided by the National Institute of
      Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health
      (Contract # HHSN266200600008C).

  --  A preclinical pipeline with candidates in development for several
      diseases.

In addition to its proprietary pipeline, XOMA develops products with premier pharmaceutical companies including Novartis AG, Schering Corporation, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

XOMA's technologies have contributed to the success of marketed antibody products, including LUCENTIS(R) (ranibizumab injection) for wet age-related macular degeneration and CIMZIA(R) (certolizumab pegol) for rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.

The company has a premier antibody discovery and development platform that incorporates an unmatched collection of antibody phage display libraries and proprietary Human Engineering(TM), affinity maturation, Bacterial Cell Expression (BCE) and manufacturing technologies. BCE is a key breakthrough biotechnology for the discovery and manufacturing of antibodies and other proteins. As a result, more than 50 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have signed BCE licenses, and several licensed product candidates are in clinical development.

XOMA has a fully integrated product development infrastructure, extending from pre-clinical science to approval, and a team of about 215 employees at its Berkeley, California location. For more information, please visit http://www.xoma.com.

The XOMA Ltd. logo is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5960

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements contained herein concerning design or results of clinical trials or other aspects of product development, or that otherwise relate to future periods, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on assumptions that may not prove accurate. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to certain risks inherent in the biotechnology industry and for companies engaged in the development of new products in a regulated market.

Among other things, the design of clinical trials may be impacted by, and results of clinical trials may be delayed or may never become available as a result of, unavailability of resources, actions or inaction by our present or future collaboration partners, insufficient enrollment in such trials or unanticipated safety issues; and results of clinical trials may in any event not be consistent with preclinical or interim results.

These and other risks, including those related to in ability to comply with NASDAQ's continued listing requirements; the generally unstable nature of current economic conditions; the results of discovery research and preclinical testing; the timing or results of pending and future clinical trials (including the design and progress of clinical trials; safety and efficacy of the products being tested; action, inaction or delay by the FDA, European or other regulators or their advisory bodies; and analysis or interpretation by, or submission to, these entities or others of scientific data); uncertainties regarding the status of biotechnology patents; uncertainties as to the cost of protecting intellectual property; changes in the status of the existing collaborative and licensing relationships; the ability of collaborators, licensees and other third parties to meet their obligations; market demand for products; scale up and marketing capabilities; competition; international operations; share price volatility; XOMA's financing needs and opportunities; and risks associated with XOMA's status as a Bermuda company, are described in more detail in XOMA's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in other SEC filings. Consider such risks carefully in considering XOMA's prospects.

                         XOMA Ltd.
      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                        (unaudited)
         (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                     Three months ended
                                          March 31,
                                   ----------------------

                                      2010         2009
                                   -----------  ---------
  Revenues:
   License and collaborative fees        $ 189   $ 27,700
   Contract and other revenue            6,811      7,398

   Royalties                               202      4,606
                                   -----------  ---------

    Total revenues                       7,202     39,704
                                   -----------  ---------
  Operating expenses:
   Research and development             17,587     16,521
   Selling, general and
    administrative                       5,553      6,120

   Restructuring                            --      3,289
                                   -----------  ---------

    Total operating expenses            23,140     25,930
                                   -----------  ---------
    Income (loss) from operations     (15,938)     13,774
  Other income (expense):
   Investment and interest income            3         30
   Interest expense                       (87)    (1,768)

   Other income (expense)              (5,763)          3
                                   -----------  ---------
    Net income (loss) before
     taxes                            (21,785)     12,039
  Provision for income tax
   expense                                  --      5,800
                                   -----------  ---------

    Net income (loss)               $ (21,785)    $ 6,239
                                   ===========  =========
  Basic and diluted net income
   (loss) per common share            $ (0.09)     $ 0.04
                                   ===========  =========

  Shares used in computing basic
   net income (loss) per common
   share                               239,493    141,772
                                   ===========  =========
  Shares used in computing
   diluted net income (loss) per
   common share                        239,493    145,596
                                   ===========  =========

                      XOMA Ltd.
        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   (in thousands)

                                           December
                              March 31,      31,
                                2010         2009
                             -----------  ---------
                             (unaudited)
                       ASSETS
  Current assets:
   Cash and cash
    equivalents                 $ 28,417   $ 23,909
   Trade and other
    receivables, net               7,792      7,231
   Prepaid expenses and
    other current assets           1,219      1,012

    Total current assets          37,428     32,152
                             -----------  ---------
  Property and equipment,
   net                            18,865     20,270

  Other assets                       402        402
                             -----------  ---------

    Total assets                $ 56,695   $ 52,824
                             ===========  =========

         LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable              $ 4,176    $ 2,942
   Accrued liabilities             6,146      8,639
   Deferred revenue                1,582      2,114
   Warrant liabilities             7,788      4,760
   Other current
    liabilities                      104        223
                             -----------  ---------
    Total current
     liabilities                  19,796     18,678
  Deferred revenue --
   long-term                       1,865      2,894
  Interest bearing
   obligation -- long-term        13,341     13,341
  Other long-term
   liabilities                       360        385
                             -----------  ---------

    Total liabilities             35,362     35,298
                             -----------  ---------

  Shareholders' equity            21,333     17,526
                             -----------  ---------
    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity       $ 56,695   $ 52,824
                             ===========  =========
CONTACT:  XOMA Ltd.
          Company and Investor Contact:
          Carol DeGuzman
          510-204-7270
          deguzman@xoma.com

          Canale Communications
          Media Contact:
          Carolyn Hawley
          619-849-5375
          chawley@canalecomm.com