BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XOMA Corporation (Nasdaq:XOMA), a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, announced today it will host a webcast and conference call on September 15, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. PDT (4:30 p.m. EDT), to provide an update on the ongoing XOMA 358 Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical program in congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) and hypoglycemia post-bariatric surgery (PBS), two rare medical conditions resulting from abnormal insulin secretion.
The presentation slides and webcast can be accessed via the Investors and Media section of XOMA’s website at http://investors.xoma.com/events.cfm and will be available for replay until close of business on December 15, 2016. Telephone numbers for the live audiocast are 877-369-6589 (U.S./Canada) and 408-337-0122 (international) with the passcode 75822110.
About XOMA 358
Insulin is the major physiologic hormone for controlling blood glucose levels. Abnormal increases in insulin secretion can lead to profound hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), a state that can result in significant morbidities, including brain damage, seizures and epilepsy. XOMA, leveraging its scientific expertise in allosteric monoclonal antibodies, developed the XMet platform, consisting of separate classes of selective insulin receptor modulators (SIRMs) that could have a major effect on treating patients with abnormal metabolic states.
XOMA 358 is a fully human negative allosteric modulating insulin receptor antibody derived from the XMet platform. It is being investigated as a novel treatment for non-drug-induced, endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (low blood glucose caused by excessive insulin production), as well as hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery and other related disorders. XOMA is conducting Phase 2 development activities for XOMA 358 in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) and in patients with hypoglycemia post-bariatric surgery (PBS). A therapy that safely and effectively mitigates insulin-induced hypoglycemia has the potential to address a significant unmet therapeutic need for certain rare medical conditions associated with hyperinsulinism. More information on the XOMA 358 clinical trial can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov and www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu.
About Congenital Hyperinsulinismi, ii, iii, iv
Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a genetic disorder in which the insulin cells of the pancreas (beta cells) secrete inappropriate and excessive insulin. Ordinarily, beta cells secrete just enough insulin to keep blood sugar in the normal range. In people with CHI, the secretion of insulin is not properly regulated, causing excess insulin secretion and frequent episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). In infants and young children, these episodes are characterized by a lack of energy (lethargy), irritability or difficulty feeding. Repeated episodes of low blood sugar increase the risk for serious complications, such as breathing difficulties, seizures, intellectual disability, vision loss, brain damage, coma and possibly death. About 60 percent of infants with CHI experience a hypoglycemic episode within the first month of life. Other affected children develop hypoglycemia by early childhood. Current treatments for CHI are limited to medical therapy and surgical removal of part or all of the pancreas (pancreatectomy).
About Hypoglycemia Post-Bariatric Surgery
As the number of gastric bypass surgeries to treat severe obesity has increased, so too has the awareness that this population may experience postprandial hypoglycemia (low blood glucose following a meal) with symptoms developing months or years following the gastric bypass surgery. Postprandial hypoglycemia occurs with a range of severity in post-bariatric surgery patients. The mild end of the spectrum may be managed largely through diet modification. The most severe forms are more prevalent in patients who underwent a Roux-en-Y procedure, and result in severe refractory postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia with neuroglycopenic symptoms (altered mental status, loss of consciousness, seizures) that cannot be managed through diet modification. If currently available pharmacologic agents do not resolve the condition, these patients are treated with either a partial pancreatectomy or reversal of the gastric bypass.
About XOMA Corporation
XOMA Corporation is a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies. The Company's innovative product candidates result from its expertise in developing ground-breaking monoclonal antibodies, including allosteric antibodies, which have created new opportunities to potentially treat a wide range of human diseases. XOMA's scientific research has produced a portfolio of five endocrine assets, each of which has the opportunity to address multiple indications. The Company's lead product candidate, XOMA 358, is a negative allosteric monoclonal antibody that reduces insulin receptor activity, which could have a major impact on the treatment of hyperinsulinism. The Company is conducting Phase 2 development activities for XOMA 358 in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism and in patients with hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery. For more information, visit www.xoma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release including, statements related to anticipated timing of clinical trials, anticipated timing of the release of clinical data, regulatory approval of unapproved product candidates, the anticipated process of clinical data analysis, the anticipated success of any clinical trial, cash usage, or statements 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 that may not prove accurate, and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to certain risks inherent in the biotechnology industry and for companies engaged in the development of new products in a regulated market. Potential risks to XOMA meeting these expectations are described in more detail in XOMA's most recent filing on Form 10-K and in other SEC filings. Consider such risks carefully when considering XOMA's prospects. Any forward-looking statement in this press release represents XOMA's views only as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. XOMA disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law.
i ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/congenital-hyperinsulinism. Accessed June 11, 2015.
ii www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/congenital-hyperinsulinism/about#.VXncFU3bKHt. Accessed June 11, 2015.
iii www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/congenital-hyperinsulinism/about#.VXneYE3bKHu. Accessed June 11, 2015.
iv www.ojrd.com/content/pdf/1750-1172-6-63.pdf. Accessed June 11, 2015.