XBiotech Announces Addition of Renowned Dermatologist Dr. William Levis to its Scientific Advisory Board

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 03, 2017 -- XBiotech Inc. (NASDAQ:XBIT) is pleased to announce the appointment of William Levis, MD to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Levis will work with XBiotech to help advance the clinical program in dermatology, including Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). Topline results from the Phase 2 study evaluating XBiotech’s True Human antibody, MABp1, as a treatment for HS were announced earlier this year. The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating significant improvement of HS patients compared to control after 12 weeks of therapy (Response rate of 60% vs 10%, respectively (p=0.035)). Other current product candidates in the Company’s dermatology program, all of which have completed phase 2 clinical studies, include Psoriasis, Acne and Pyoderma Gangrenosum.

Dr. Levis commented, “I am truly excited to be working on such an innovative therapy. A human-derived monoclonal antibody targeting IL-1⍺ blockade is a very intriguing approach to treat a variety of dermatological conditions. I look forward to being a part of future development of this program.”

IL-1α drives chronic sterile inflammation in the skin. IL-1α from keratinocytes and inflammatory cells present in skin lesions makes it a prominent target for therapy. The strong safety profile targeting IL-1⍺ also makes it an ideal treatment for dermatological conditions. 

About William Levis, M.D.
Dr. Levis serves as Chairman of the Foundation for Global Skin Health Strategies and Lifetime Professor of Dermatology, Rockefeller University. He is presently Attending Physician, New York Hansen’s Disease Program, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, NY. In 2008, he opened the Levis Dermatology private practice in New York City. He has held several positions with the National Cancer Institute including an appointment as Senior Investigator, Dermatology Branch. He also served for a period as the Chief of the department of Dermatology at US Public Health Service in Staten Island. Dr. Levis then went on to serve as Medical Specialist at the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities and has held the positions of Adjunct Professor of Dermatology, New York Medical College and Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College. Dr. Levis has extensive publications and has presented many lectures at venues around the world. In 2008, he was honored with the prestigious Astellas Award for Public Health. Dr. Levis was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, which is the silver star of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS). Dr. Levis is a member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation. Today he is engaged in the research and clinical development of new immunomodulator technologies for the treatment of dermatological conditions.

About True Human™ Therapeutic Antibodies
XBiotech’s True Human™ antibodies are derived without modification from individuals who possess natural immunity to certain diseases. With discovery and clinical programs across multiple disease areas, XBiotech’s True Human antibodies have the potential to harness the body’s natural immunity to fight disease with increased safety, efficacy and tolerability.

About XBiotech
XBiotech is a fully integrated global biosciences company dedicated to pioneering the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic antibodies based on its True Human™ proprietary technology. XBiotech currently is advancing a robust pipeline of antibody therapies to redefine the standards of care in oncology, inflammatory conditions and infectious diseases. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, XBiotech also is leading the development of innovative biotech manufacturing technologies designed to more rapidly, cost-effectively and flexibly produce new therapies urgently needed by patients worldwide. For more information, visit www.xbiotech.com.

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