XOMA (US) LLC Release: XOMA 052 Mechanism of Action Results Published in Journal of Biological Chemistry

BERKELEY, Calif., April 30, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XOMA Ltd. (Nasdaq:XOMA), a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, announced the publication of a peer-reviewed paper describing the novel mechanism of action of XOMA 052, a potent, high affinity antibody that inhibits the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) while having no effect on the binding of IL-1 beta to the decoy receptors that clear excess IL-1 beta from the body. XOMA 052 is currently in Phase 2 development for the treatment of patients with Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The paper is expected to be included in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and has been published online at http://www.jbc.org/content/early/2010/04/21/jbc.M110.115790.full.pdf+html?sid=feb559be-278f-42fc-92be-e4f00cf2891a .