On the whole, the drug appeared to be well tolerated. The most common adverse events were mild headaches and low-grade fever, particularly after the first dose. Psoriasis in its various forms is one of the most common skin diseases worldwide. In North America and Europe up to a million people may be affected by the more severe forms of the disease. Psoriasis is now considered to be a T cell-mediated chronic inflammatory disorder.
T cells are specialized white blood cells mobilized by the immune system to destroy foreign cells.
In psoriasis, increased activation, adhesion and migration of T cells into the skin contribute to the inflammation and abnormal keratinocyte proliferation. Misdirected T cell activities also play an important role in other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. XOMA Ltd. develops and manufactures biopharmaceuticals at facilities located in Berkeley and Santa Monica, California. Statements made in this press release related to the timing of clinical trials, release of data and other aspects of 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 which may not prove accurate.