XOMA Receives Subcontract From SRI

XOMA has sealed a new $1.7 million subcontract by SRI International to produce novel antibody drugs against the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Reportedly, the project is funded under a 2006 prime contract between SRI and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

According to this agreement, XOMA will evaluate several antibodies for growth, productivity, manufacturability and performance in bioreactors.

The company has also recieved a $65 million multiyear contract to support its ongoing development of drug candidates towards clinical trials in the treatment of botulism poisoning.

NIAID has awarded three contracts for a total of nearly $100 million to XOMA to develop anti-botulism antibodies. The first product candidate resulting from this work, XOMA 3AB, is currently undergoing pre-IND studies.

Steven Engle, chairman and CEO of XOMA, said: We are pleased that XOMA has been selected for this important new project. Currently, the federal government is funding another key project under which we will develop and evaluate antibody products to the botulinum neurotoxin, with the goal of entering into a long-term manufacturing and stockpiling contract.