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

To: Mike McFarland who wrote (8280)	1/14/1999 7:49:00 AM
From: Robert K.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17367

Mikey> either they are perhaps 1 year ahead of us or perhaps 3-5 years behind us depending on which molecule you compare it to . In either case its kinda validation for what xoma is doing with bpi and lbp. I agree its a promising idea as is bpi and lbp. Question is which is better and who leads who. If I had to guess I would say we are way ahead of them on several fronts.>> The release from Icos>The Company's multi-product strategy resulted in the addition of a fifth candidate, IC14, to enter clinical trials. IC14 is an antibody that blocks CD14, a receptor for a variety of toxins made by invading pathogenic microorganisms. Engagement of CD14 causes a rapid activation of the immune system marked by a dramatic release of inflammatory mediators during a localized bacterial infection. While this inflammatory response can be beneficial and help eradicate the pathogen, it can also coordinate the systemic release of excessive inflammatory mediators which produce catastrophic vascular collapse and organ destruction during severe traumatic events. This process, sepsis, is the leading cause of death in hospital intensive care units. This potential therapeutic agent has been developed in collaboration with Scripps Clinic in San Diego, California. In disease models IC14 blocks the cytokine cascade induced by endotoxin and also prevents a severe drop in blood pressure that precedes multiple organ dysfunction. A Phase 1 clinical trial in Europe is enrolling approximately 20 normal volunteers in a single dose setting to compare IC14 to placebo. ICOS is discovering and developing new pharmaceuticals by seeking points of intervention in the inflammatory process that may lead to specific and efficacious drugs. ICOS' research and drug development programs involve several acute and chronic conditions.