XOMA Earns $2 Million Milestone from Takeda as Mezagitamab Advances into Phase 2 Development

XOMA Corporation announced it has earned a $2 million milestone payment from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited as the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 2 study to evaluate safety, tolerability, and efficacy of mezagitamab (TAK-079) in participants with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). In 2006, XOMA and Takeda entered into a collaboration agreement to identify potential therapeutic antibodies that Takeda would advance into clinical development. Mezagitamab is an anti-CD38 antibody that resulted from the companies’ collaboration.

“Takeda has multiple early stage mezagitamab studies ongoing in several indications. Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that causes patients to experience muscle weakness that may significantly impact their quality of life. We applaud Takeda for advancing mezagitamab development in generalized MG,” stated Jim Neal, Chief Executive Officer at XOMA. “With only one therapy approved in the U.S., MG clearly is a condition with unmet medical need.

“In the last month, we have earned $28.5 million in combined value from four partners, Takeda, Novartis, Merck, and one undisclosed company, as each achieved the first-patient-dosed milestone in their respective Phase 2 clinical trials. In addition, we expanded and diversified our portfolio with the acquisition of milestone interest and royalty rights associated with four lysosomal storage disorder enzymes. XOMA’s royalty aggregator model is beginning to bear fruit, and our team is excited as we share in our partners’ successes,” Mr. Neal concluded.

XOMA may receive up to $16 million in additional milestones from Takeda. Upon receipt of regulatory approval to commercialize mezagitamab, XOMA will receive a four percent royalty on any net product sales.

About XOMA Corporation
XOMA has built a significant portfolio of products that are licensed to and being developed by other biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The Company’s portfolio of partner-funded programs spans multiple stages of the drug development process and across various therapeutic areas. Many of these licenses are the result of XOMA’s pioneering efforts in the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics. The Company’s royalty-aggregator business model includes acquiring additional milestone and royalty rights associated with drug development programs with third-party funding.