Xoma suspends work on hepatitis drug

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Xoma suspends work on hepatitis drug

31st July 2006

By Helen Marshall

Xoma has announced that, in light of Cubist Pharmaceuticals' recent decision

to cease investment in its HepeX-B product due to stringent FDA approval

requirements, Xoma has placed its production process development work for

Cubist on hold and issued a notice of contract termination.

HepeX-B is a combination of two fully human monoclonal antibodies that

target the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface. The product, which has been

granted orphan drug status in both the US and the European Union, has been

under evaluation for the prevention of HBV re-infection in liver transplant

patients.

In September 2005, Xoma and Cubist signed a letter agreement under which

Xoma's extensive antibody development and manufacturing capabilities were to

be used to develop new processes to manufacture HepeX-B.

The two companies have now begun discussions to consider other development

options for the drug candidate.

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