XOMA Presents XOMA 3AB Data at National Biodefense Meeting

BERKELEY, Calif., Jan. 11, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XOMA Ltd. (Nasdaq:XOMA), a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, today announced several presentations that highlight advances in the company's biodefense program and particularly in the development of XOMA 3AB, a three antibody formulation that binds to distinct regions of botulinum toxin type A. Among these will be an invited oral presentation describing the successful lyophilization of XOMA 3AB and studies demonstrating the stability of this formulation over time stored at a wide range of temperatures. The presentations will be made at the Fifth Annual Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) Stakeholders Workshop and BARDA Industry Day, January 10 to 12, 2011 in Washington, DC.

XOMA 3AB has been shown in preclinical studies to neutralize botulinum toxin type A, which is among the most deadly bioterrorism threats. XOMA 3AB is being developed  through funding provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. To date, XOMA has entered into more than $100 million in U.S. government contracts for this program.

"The PHEMCE meeting is a leading venue for providing scientists and government leaders with up-to-date information on the excellent progress in our anti-botulinum toxin program. Our presentations at this conference clearly emphasize our expertise and technical leadership position in this strategically important space," said Steve B. Engle, XOMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The presentations are:

 
  Development of a High Temperature Stable Lyophilized Formulation for XOMA 3AB, a BoNT/A Triple Antibody Product 
   
 
  Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody Co-mixture Based Monovalent Antitoxin Development for Treatment of Type A, B and E Botulism
   
 
  Nonclinical Safety Evaluation of XOMA 3AB, A Novel Triple Monoclonal Antibody Drug Product Targeting Botulinum Toxin Type A, in Sprague-Dawley Rats

These projects have been funded in whole or in part with funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services under Contract No. HHSN266200600008C, Contract No. HHSN272200800028C, and Contract No. HHSN266200600011C.

About the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise

PHEMCE is a coordinated interagency effort that is responsible for defining and prioritizing requirements for public health emergency medical countermeasures; focusing research, development, and procurement activities on the identified requirements; and establishing deployment and use strategies for medical countermeasures in the strategic national stockpile. BARDA is the U.S. government's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

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, a potent anti-IL-1 beta antibody entering Phase 3 clinical development in Behcet's uveitis, for which it has been designated an orphan drug, and in Phase 2 clinical development for Type 2 diabetes with cardiovascular biomarkers, Type 1 diabetes, and with potential for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory conditions. XOMA is developing XOMA 052 in collaboration with Les Laboratoires Servier.
   
 
  XOMA 3AB, an antibody candidate in preclinical development 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.
   
 
  A preclinical pipeline with candidates in development for autoimmune, cardio-metabolic, inflammatory, ophthalmic and oncologic diseases.

The company has a premier antibody discovery and development platform that incorporates an unmatched collection of antibody phage display libraries and proprietary Human Engineering™, 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, 60 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 at its Berkeley, California location. For more information, please visit www.xoma.com.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein concerning 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, results of early-stage clinical trials may not be supported by later findings, larger trials and/or other actions required for regulatory approval may not be economically feasible, and results of clinical trials may in any event not be consistent with preclinical or interim results.

These and other risks, including the generally unstable nature of current economic and financial market 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); changes in the status of existing collaborative and licensing relationships; the ability of collaborators, licensees and other third parties to meet their obligations; XOMA's ability to meet the demands of the United States government agency with which it has entered into its government contracts; competition; market demands for products; scale-up 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; uncertainties as to the costs of protecting intellectual property; and risks associated with XOMA's status as a Bermuda company, 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: XOMA Ltd.
         Company and Investor Contact:
         Carol DeGuzman
         510-204-7270
         deguzman@xoma.com
         
         Canale Communications
         Media Contact:
         Carolyn Hawley
         619-849-5375
         carolyn@canalecomm.com

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Released January 11, 2011