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Biotech / Medical : Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (MLNM) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Icebrg who wrote (1645)	6/19/2003 8:42:02 AM
From: Icebrg	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3044

XOMA Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial of MLN2201, an Inhibitor of Vascular Inflammation Thursday June 19, 7:31 am ET BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 2003--XOMA Ltd. (Nasdaq:XOMA - News) announced today the initiation of a phase I clinical trial of MLN2201 (formerly known as MLN01), a humanized monoclonal antibody being developed for conditions related to inflammation of the heart and blood vessels. MLN2201 is one of two products currently under development as part of an ongoing collaboration with Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:MLNM - News). The phase I study is an open-label, dose-escalating clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of MLN2201 in healthy volunteers. Participants will receive a single intravenous infusion of MLN2201 followed by a monitoring and evaluation period. MLN2201 is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed toward the beta-2 subunit of integrins (cell surface proteins) found on the surface of all leukocytes, or white blood cells. In preclinical studies, MLN2201 inhibited inflammatory responses, apparently by blocking the attachment of beta-2 integrins to their adhesion molecules, limiting the recruitment of leukocytes from blood vessels to tissues and thereby reducing the inflammatory process. This could potentially be important for limiting the tissue damage that follows any obstruction of blood supply caused by thrombosis: much of this damage results from the inflammatory response triggered when blood flow is re-established. By reducing vascular inflammation, MLN2201 could be beneficial in the treatment of various conditions that involve the heart and blood vessels. "We're pleased to be moving into the clinic with MLN2201, which is another example of building our product pipeline through development collaborations," said John L. Castello, XOMA's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Despite decades of research and significant advances in vascular treatment, there are still opportunities for innovative therapies that address the potential role inflammation plays in diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels." About the XOMA/Millennium Collaboration XOMA and Millennium entered into an agreement in November 2001 to collaborate on the development of MLN2201and CAB-2, a recombinant protein that inhibits complement activation, for certain vascular inflammation indications. Under the terms of the agreement, XOMA is responsible for development activities and related costs for both products through the completion of phase II trials. After the successful completion of phase II studies, Millennium has the right to further develop and commercialize the products, with XOMA retaining the option to choose between further participation in the development program and eventual profit sharing, or alternatively being entitled to future royalty and milestone payments.