Biotech Values

[DonShimoda]

XOMA Selects Non-Infectious Anterior Scleritis as Next Indication in Gevokizumab Proof-of-Concept Program

BERKELEY, Calif., Dec. 31, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XOMA Corporation (Nasdaq:XOMA), a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, today announced it has selected active non-infectious anterior scleritis, which is the inflammation of the sclera (the fibrous white membrane surrounding the eyeball excluding the cornea), as the third indication in XOMA's gevokizumab proof-of-concept program. The Company is working with the National Eye Institute ("NEI"), one of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, on designing the protocol for this study.

"Both non-infectious scleritis and non-infectious uveitis have been associated with interleukin-1 beta. As we narrowed our potential therapeutic targets for inclusion in our POC program, we felt there was a strong rationale to conduct one of the studies in a second ocular indication, particularly one that is treated by the same physician specialist as the NIU patient population," stated Paul Rubin, Senior Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer of XOMA.
http://investors.xoma.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=730866