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Biotech / Medical : XOMA. Bull or Bear? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nikole Wollerstein who wrote (17352)	1/4/2011 8:31:30 AM
From: nigel bates	1 Recommendation Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17367

BERKELEY, Calif., Jan. 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XOMA Ltd. (Nasdaq:XOMA - News), a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, and Les Laboratoires Servier (Servier), France's largest privately-held pharmaceutical company, today announced the signing of a regional agreement to jointly develop and commercialize XOMA 052, XOMA's anti-inflammatory drug candidate, in multiple indications. XOMA 052 is designed to inhibit the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta that is believed to be a primary trigger of pathologic inflammation in multiple diseases. Key elements of this agreement include: XOMA will receive approximately $35 million upfront, up to approximately $470 million in milestone payments and tiered royalties up to a mid-teens percentage rate. XOMA retains development and commercialization rights for Behcet's uveitis and other inflammatory and oncology indications in U.S. and Japan. Servier receives similar rights in the rest of the world. Servier will fund the first $50 million of XOMA 052 development expenses and 50% of further expenses for the Behcet's uveitis indication. XOMA 052 is expected to advance into Phase 3 development in Behcet's uveitis in 2011. Servier will fund development for diabetes and cardiovascular disease indications in exchange for worldwide rights. XOMA retains an option to reacquire the development and commercialization rights to the diabetes and cardiovascular indications in the U.S. and Japan by paying an option fee and partial reimbursement of incurred development expenses. If XOMA reacquires these rights, it has the ability to license them to one or more third parties. "This is an important collaboration for XOMA as we gain a seasoned partner in Servier and it allows us to accelerate XOMA 052 into Phase 3 development this year in Behcet's uveitis, an orphan indication for which we have reported positive proof-of-concept results. The agreement advances our strategy of focusing on opportunities in the U.S. where we can directly participate in the development and commercialization of our novel products," said Steven B. Engle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, XOMA. "This agreement substantially increases our cash resources while reducing future cash requirements, provides a pathway to commercialization of XOMA 052 in the near term, and supports development in diabetes and cardiovascular disease while maintaining our ability to participate in these programs. As a result, we can accelerate development of a new approach that targets the inflammatory cause of multiple diseases and has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of patients." "Servier is a world-class pharmaceutical company with 2010 revenues of 3.7 billion euros and a long history of successful innovation and collaborations, global franchises in diabetes and cardiovascular disease and established operations in the geographical regions where Behcet's disease is most prevalent," Mr. Engle continued. "They are an ideal partner to maximize the clinical and commercial potential of XOMA 052." "XOMA 052 gives us a later-stage asset to develop for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are both areas of strength for us, as well as for rare diseases," said Emmanuel Canet, M.D., Ph.D., Servier's President, Research and Development. "With this therapeutic antibody designed to inhibit interleukin-1 beta we are reinforcing our strategy in the field of biologics and developing novel approaches aimed at treating severe diseases. We are especially eager to shepherd the development of XOMA 052 for the treatment of patients with Behcet's uveitis, a population that has very few options and may face eventual blindness." In 2011, XOMA and Servier expect to hold discussions with multiple regulatory agencies to initiate Phase 3 studies of XOMA 052 in Behcet's uveitis, a debilitating ophthalmic inflammatory condition that often leads to vision-threatening complications including blindness. XOMA 052 has already received orphan drug designations for Behcet's disease from regulators in the U.S. and European Union, which support an expedited path to commercialization. XOMA expects to release results from two ongoing Phase 2 studies in patients with Type 2 diabetes in the first quarter of 2011. XOMA will receive approximately $35 million in an upfront payment consisting of $15 million and a 15 million euro loan, which does not have to be repaid until 2016. Regarding milestone payments, if XOMA reacquires diabetes and cardiovascular rights in the U.S. and Japan, then the milestone payments could be up to $470 million as mentioned above. If XOMA does not reacquire these rights, then the milestone payments could be up to $800 million. XOMA will be responsible for XOMA 052 manufacturing throughout clinical development and launch and anticipates being a long-term manufacturer. This adds to the company's potential profit participation during the life of the commercial product.