XOMA Corporation (XOMA)

[mbmalone]

A single dose of the experimental injectable drug antibody, known
as XOMA 052 has been shown to improve blood sugar control in
patients with type 2 diabetes. This would be a disease-modifying
drug that allows the pancreas to get back to a more normal state.
A subcutaneous injection that could potentially be given as
infrequently as once a month.

It is designed to block an inflammation-causing protein known as
interleukin-1 beta, which has recently been linked to inflammatory
damage to insulin-producing cells known as islet cells. A single
injection of the antibody reduced levels of HbA1c -- a standard
measure of glucose control -- in four of five tested dose levels
compared to placebo. Median HbA1c levels were reduced in all 5
groups and the reduction was as much as 0.6 percent after 28 days
compared to baseline. With one dose we have a 0.6 percent
improvement. If you extrapolate to three months, the improvement
is probably going to be even better.

The results of the trials, which were presented in Rome at a
meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes,
showed no evidence of serious adverse side effects or infusion
reactions. Dr. Marc Donath, Professor of Endocrinology and
Diabetes at the University Hospital of Zurich, a pioneer in anti-
inflammatory approaches to diabetes treatment, will serve as lead
investigator of Xoma's European trial.

Wednesday November 4, 2009
XOMA Ltd Granted First European Patent Covering XOMA 052