Xoma news is getting better and better. BPI looks more and more like a big winner. I know the MP is fully loaded now, but might be something to consider for the next purchase. Of course these are in vitro, not in vivo results. Still...
>>Monday September 29 8:30 AM EDT
Company Press Release
XOMA's BPI-Derived Products Show Synergy with AntiBiotics Against Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria and with Antifungals Against Pathogenic Fungal Organisms
BERKELEY, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 29, 1997--New research by XOMA Corporation (NASDAQ:XOMA) further demonstrates the breadth of the company's BPI (bactericidal permeability-increasing protein) anti-infective development platform.
Company scientists have demonstrated that formulations of the BPI-derived compound rBPI-21 kill several kinds of multiple drug resistant (MDR) bacteria (including strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa) alone and in combination with antibiotics. They also have shown that BPI-derived antifungal peptides act by a mechanism distinct from other antifungal drugs and synergistic to their activity, and thus may offer a valuable new weapon in the arsenal against fungal infections.
XOMA scientists are presenting these findings in Toronto, Canada at the 37th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), an annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, September 28 - October 1.
``There is a growing need for new drugs that target multi-drug resistant bacterial and fungal infections,'' said Patrick J. Scannon, M.D., Ph.D. chief scientific and medical officer of XOMA. ``The BPI molecule, with its multiple anti-infective activities, is a unique platform for creating novel therapies against resistant infections that can potentially be used in combination with existing antibiotics or on their own.''
One of the studies presented focuses on the ability of enhanced antibacterial formulations of rBPI-21 to kill several species of MDR bacteria obtained from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, including strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CF patients experience recurring severe lung infections; with repeated antibiotic treatments, the infecting bacteria become resistant to most antibiotics. Bacteria collected from CF patients were challenged with combinations of rBPI-21 and antibiotics. The study concluded that rBPI-21 as formulated, is bactericidal alone and in combination against a number of strains of MDR pulmonary CF bacteria, at clinically achievable levels. Data from this study were also used in designing and supporting a recently launched clinical program investigating the use of Neuprex(TM) (XOMA's injectable formulation of rBPI-21 in combination with antibiotics against recurring lung infections in CF patients.
A second presentation summarizes an ongoing series of studies exploring the unique fungicidal activities of BPI-derived antifungal (XMP, Mycoprex(TM)) peptides. The XOMA researchers studied the subcellular effects of these peptides on fungal growth, as well as their interactions with other antifungals. They concluded that the XMP peptides act against a broad spectrum of fungal pathogens by a unique mechanism distinct from that of the currently available polyene or azole-based antifungals, such as amphotericin B and fluconazole.
Additional research presentations report on the ability of BPI-derived XMP peptides to act synergistically with the antifungal drugs fluconazole and amphotericin B in in vitro models of systemic Candida yeast infections and aspergillosis. Furthermore, XMP.391, a peptide previously reported to be active in vivo against Candida albicans, was also found to be protective in animal models of disseminated aspergillosis.
BPI is a human host-defense protein that kills bacteria and binds to lipopolysaccharide (LPS or endotoxin), resulting in its clearance and neutralization. Having discovered several active amino acid sequences (domains) in the BPI molecule with useful therapeutic properties, XOMA is building a portfolio of BPI-derived therapeutics that include antibacterial, antifungal and other compounds.
XOMA Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company developing products for the treatment of primary infections and major complications due to infectious diseases, traumatic injury and surgery, and immunological disorders. The company is focused on accelerated development of products derived from BPI. The BPI molecule was discovered in 1978 by Peter Elsbach, M.D., Professor of Medicine, and Jerrold Weiss, Ph.D., Professor of Microbiology, both at New York University School of Medicine. XOMA has collaborated with NYU since 1991 to extend and apply BPI-related research to the commercial development of pharmaceutical products. Neuprex(TM) is the first product from XOMA's BPI drug development platform to reach clinical trials. Additional BPI-derived products in development include I-PREX(TM), a topical formulation of rBPI-21 for treatment of ophthalmic infections, and the Mycoprex(TM) antifungal peptides for treatment of systemic fungal infections.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on the company's current beliefs as to the outcome and timing of future events; actual events or results may differ materially from the company's expectations. In addition to matters described in the press release, results of pending or future clinical trials, actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, changes in the status of the company's collaborative relationships, and future actions by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, as well as the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC reports (including but not limited to, its report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, as well as its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996), may affect the actual results achieved by the company.
Note to Editors: For a copy of this or other recent releases call: XOMA Fax News on Demand 1/800-901-7788; XOMA home page@ xoma.com<< |
