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Biotech / Medical : VD's Model Portfolio & Discussion Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rocketman who wrote (5120)	6/17/1998 3:09:00 PM
From: aknahow	Respond to of 9719

rocketman, we miss you on another thread. Even so would appreciate your thoughts on this patent when it becomes available on the IBM server. Does it really represent something new? It certainly has done nothing for the stock, but PDLI weakened with the announcement. Own XOMA but am not suggesting anyone buy because of that. At time you probably look at XOMA as a potential stock for the portfolio so checkin out the patent can be justifed on that basis. <g> FOR RELEASE: June 15, 1998 XOMA to Receive US Patent Covering New Method for Monoclonal Antibody Humanization Human Engineering Technique Provides Alternative to CDR Grafting BERKELEY, CA -- June 15, 1998 -- XOMA Corporation (Nasdaq: XOMA) ) announced that the US Patent Office will issue to XOMA a patent broadly covering a new method for humanizing monoclonal antibodies. This human engineering (HE) technique represents a novel alternative to the complementarity-determining region (CDR) grafting methods in widespread use today. "XOMA's technology is a straightforward humanization method that obviates the need for methods based on CDR-grafting," said Jack Castello, chairman, president and CEO of XOMA. "Our method has already been used for our targeted immunofusion (TIF) program. We plan to offer the HE method to companies seeking to license an easy and effective humanization technology." The claims of U.S. Patent No. 5,766,886, to issue June 16, 1998, describe methods for modifying antibody variable regions to produce antibodies that more closely resemble human antibodies. Humanization is necessary because therapeutic non-human monoclonal antibodies usually provoke an immune response in the human host, which recognizes them as foreign. Unlike methods based on CDR-grafting, the XOMA human engineering method analysed each amino acid position in the antibody variable region. It compared the benefit of humanization (which reduces immunogenicity) to the risk of adversely affecting specific antigen binding or proper antibody folding (key aspects of antibody function). Substitutions of human amino acids are then preferentially made to positions where they are likely to decrease immunogenicity without impairing functionality. The XOMA claims are not limited to humanizing mouse (murine) antibodies, but cover all antibodies regardless of species origin. A particularly useful feature of the HE method is that any target antibody can be humanized directly without additional complex protein structural analysis. In 1989, while humanizing an anti-CD5 monoclonal antibody (H65), XOMA scientists observed that humanization using CDR grafting greatly reduced the binding activity of the antibody. Therefore, one of them developed a new approach based on a general model of conserved features of antibody variable regions. In contrast to direct CDR-grafting techniques, where the underlying murine framework in the variable region of the molecule is replaced with its human counterpart and then sequentially "dehumanized" to recover any lost binding activity, the new technique permits direct construction of a fully-active human-engineered antibody. XOMA Corporation develops and manufactures genetically-engineered protein, peptide and monoclonal antibody pharmaceuticals. XOMA's medical targets include infections and infectious complications, and immunologic disorders. The company is primarily focused on developing products from BPI (bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein), an anti-infective host-defense protein found in human white blood cells that kills and neutralizes invading bacteria. XOMA also has considerable experience developing and clinically testing monoclonal antibody therapeutics. XOMA's monoclonal antibody work includes a collaboration with Genentech to develop hu1124, an anti-CD11a antibody now in Phase II in psoriasis. XOMA's Genimune(tm) targeted immunofusion (TIF) product, which fuses a humanized antibody-derived targeting component to XOMA's proprietary cytotoxin, rGelonin, is part of XOMA's technology outlicensing program. Statements made in this press release relating to clinical trials and other aspects of product development, or that otherwise relate to future periods, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on assumptions which may not prove accurate. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to certain risks inherent in the biotechnology industry as well as for companies engaged in the development of new products in a regulated market. These risks, including those related to the results of pending or future clinical trials, changes in the status of the company's collaborative relationships and actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, are discussed in the company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in other SEC filings. Such risks should be considered carefully in evaluating XOMA's prospects. c Copyright 1998, XOMA Corporation Further information on XOMA is available here on our web site, or see our Contact Information page. Home Page \| Company Information \| News Job Opportunities \| Financials \| Research