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XOMA News XOMA Expands U.S. Government Focus; XOMA Founder Dr. Patrick Scannon to Lead Effort

In 2005, XOMA announced a $15 million contract with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to develop cell lines, optimize production processes and manufacture three antibodies against botulinum neurotoxin in support of the United States' biodefense efforts. "Since we began our contract with NIAID, it has become clear that XOMA's capabilities have many more applications in government service, particularly with our national emphasis on biodefense," said Jack Castello, XOMA's Chairman, President and CEO. "As a leading antibody discovery, development and manufacturing company with key capabilities in Bacterial Cell Expression, Phage Display and Human Engineering(TM), XOMA is well positioned to help our nation develop new defenses against biologic agents, design processes for producing these defenses, and manufacture them for future use."

Dr. Scannon founded XOMA in 1980 and has been a member of the company's executive team and Board of Directors since that time. In his new role, Dr. Scannon will drive key initiatives in national defense, serve as XOMA's chief liaison with Congress, other lawmaking branches and federal agencies of the government, and continue to oversee U.S.-based Investigator Sponsored Trials and European activities for NEUPREX(R) as XOMA pursues commercialization of this product. "With Pat's extensive knowledge of XOMA's capabilities and his understanding of medicine and public health, he is the ideal person to lead an expanded effort in biodefense," remarked Mr. Castello.

About XOMA

XOMA is a leader in the discovery, development and manufacture of therapeutic antibodies, with a therapeutic focus that includes cancer and immune diseases.

The company has built a premier antibody discovery and development platform that includes access to seven of the leading commercially available antibody phage display libraries and XOMA's proprietary Human Engineering(TM) and bacterial cell expression (BCE) technologies. More than 45 companies have signed BCE licenses. As a leader in therapeutic antibodies, XOMA has established a unique and comprehensive collection of technologies for antibody discovery, optimization, development and production. With a fully integrated product development infrastructure, XOMA's product development capabilities extend from preclinical sciences to product launch. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.xoma.com.

Certain statements contained herein concerning product development or 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. 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. Among other things, XOMA may never succeed at developing new defenses against biologic agents, designing processes for producing these defenses, manufacturing them for future use, or obtaining contracts from the US government for these activities. These risks, including those related to the results of discovery research and preclinical testing; the timing or results of pending and future clinical trials (including the design and progress of clinical trials; safety and efficacy of the products being tested; action, inaction or delay by the FDA, European or other regulators or their advisory bodies; and analysis or interpretation by, or submission to, these entities or others of scientific data); uncertainties regarding the status of biotechnology patents; uncertainties as to the cost of protecting intellectual property; changes in the status of the existing collaborative and licensing relationships; the ability of collaborators, licensees and other third parties to meet their obligations; market demand for products; scale up and marketing capabilities; competition; international operations; share price volatility; XOMA's financing needs and opportunities and risks associated with XOMA's status as a Bermuda company, are described in more detail in XOMA's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in other SEC filings. Consider such risks carefully in considering XOMA's prospects.