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.