XOMA to Present at Cowen Health Care Conference

BERKELEY, Calif., Feb. 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XOMA Corporation (Nasdaq:XOMA) announced that John Varian, Chief Executive Officer, will present a company overview at the Cowen & Company 32nd Annual Health Care Conference, on March 6, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time.

A webcast will be available via the Investors tab at the XOMA website, www.xoma.com, and an archived version will be available on the XOMA website for 30 days following the presentation.

About XOMA

XOMA discovers and develops innovative antibody therapeutics. XOMA's lead drug candidate is gevokizumab (XOMA 052), a humanized antibody that modulates the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta, or IL-1 beta. In collaboration with the Company's partner, Les Laboratoires Servier (Servier), XOMA is expected to initiate global Phase 3 clinical development of gevokizumab to treat non-infectious uveitis, including the subset of patients with Behcet's uveitis, in 2012. Separately XOMA has launched a Phase 2 proof-of-concept program for gevokizumab to evaluate additional indications for further development, including moderate-to-severe inflammatory acne.

In order to retain the value of XOMA's discoveries and its future revenue potential, XOMA made a strategic decision to establish a commercial capability. To implement this strategy, the Company established its U.S. commercial operations through the acquisition of U.S. rights to Servier's ACEON® (perindopril erbumine), a marketed angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The agreement with Servier includes a portfolio of fixed-dose combination product candidates where perindopril is combined with other active ingredients to treat hypertension. XOMA has the right to develop and commercialize these products for the U.S. market.  

Through its unique discovery platform, the Company is focused on discovering and developing allosteric modulating antibodies that combine the beneficial pharmacology of small molecule drugs with the target specificity of antibodies. Among these novel discoveries are two new classes of fully human antibodies: XMetA partially activates the insulin receptor, and XMetS sensitizes the insulin receptor. These two programs represent distinct and potentially breakthrough therapeutic approaches to the treatment of patients with diabetes. XOMA is headquartered in Berkeley, California. For more information, please visit www.xoma.com.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein concerning anticipated timing of initiation of clinical trials, continued sales of approved products and regulatory approval of unapproved product candidates, 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 timing of initiation of clinical trials may be delayed or may never occur as a result of actions or inaction by regulators or present or future collaboration partners, complications in the design, implementation or third-party approval of clinical trials or unanticipated safety issues; continued sales of approved products may be impacted by XOMA's ability to implement its marketing efforts, competition or unanticipated safety issues; and regulatory approval of unapproved product candidates may be affected by the results of future clinical trials, actions or inaction by the FDA or unanticipated safety issues.

These and other risks, including those related to the generally unstable nature of current economic and financial market conditions; the results of discovery and pre-clinical 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); changes in the status of existing collaborative or licensing relationships; the ability of collaborators, licensees and other third parties to meet their obligations and their discretion in decision-making; XOMA's ability to meet the demands of the United States government agency with which it has entered into its government contracts; competition; market demand for products; scale-up, manufacturing and marketing capabilities; availability of additional licensing or collaboration opportunities; international operations; share price volatility; XOMA's financing needs and opportunities; uncertainties regarding the status of biotechnology patents; and uncertainties as to the costs of protecting intellectual property, are described in more detail in XOMA's most recent filing on Form 10-K and in other SEC filings. Consider such risks carefully when considering XOMA's prospects.

CONTACT: Company and Investor Contact:
         Carol DeGuzman
         510-204-7270
         deguzman@xoma.com

         Juliane Snowden
         The Oratorium Group, LLC
         jsnowden@oratoriumgroup.com

         Canale Communications
         Media Contact:
         Pam Lord
         619-849-6003
         pam@canalecomm.com

XOMA Corporation Logo

Source: XOMA Corporation