XBiotech Appoints Trey Benson as New Commercial Head to Lead Strategic Commercial Development for the Company’s Extensive Product Portfolio

AUSTIN, Texas, June 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XBiotech (NASDAQ:XBIT), the developer of True Human™ therapeutic antibodies, announced today that Trey Benson has joined the company as Commercial Head, effective June 6. Benson has more than two decades of global healthcare experience, with over 16 years of marketing and commercial development in the pharmaceutical industry, in both established and start-up organizations.

Reporting to XBiotech Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer John Simard, Benson will lead the strategic commercial development for XBiotech’s extensive portfolio of True Human antibody therapies, including Xilonix™, the Company’s lead candidate currently in late-stage development for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.

“Trey is experienced in bringing pharmaceutical products to market, with a proven track record in achieving and beating sales growth targets,” Simard said. “We are excited to welcome Trey to the XBiotech team as we develop and implement an innovative, growth focused commercial strategy for Xilonix and our pipeline of products.”

Benson’s extensive experience has seen him serve as Vice President of Marketing at Edgemont Pharmaceuticals, as well as nine years at Xenoport, Inc., where he held titles of Senior Director, Strategic Product Planning; Executive Director, Commercial Development; and as Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Development. At Xenoport, Inc., Benson led all Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) promotional activities, including launch planning in co-promotion collaboration with GSK, building the commercial organization and marketing team, and being responsible for sales performance. Benson began his career with Abbott Laboratories and Eli Lilly, and has been continuously recognized for his excellence in commercialization, product strategy, and marketing.

“Joining the XBiotech team is an exciting opportunity. Our proprietary True Human technology and pipeline of products has real potential across many important therapeutic areas where new treatments are needed. My immediate priority, however, is to implement a robust commercial launch plan of our Xilonix therapy,” Benson said.

XBiotech’s lead product candidate, Xilonix, has the potential to change the standard of care in treating advanced colorectal cancer. Currently in Phase III clinical trials in the U.S. with Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Xilonix is specifically designed to target and neutralize interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1a), a molecule known to promote angiogenesis (the growth and spread of tumors), as well as mediate symptoms such as metabolic dysregulation (e.g., a cause of muscle loss and weight loss), fatigue and anxiety associated with advanced cancer.

About True Human™ Therapeutic Antibodies
Unlike previous generations of antibody therapies, XBiotech’s True Human™ antibodies are 100 percent human, derived 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.

The first of these therapies, Xilonix™, for advanced colorectal cancer, is in Phase III clinical trials in the United States with a Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In Europe, Xilonix Phase III clinical trials have been completed, and the therapy is under accelerated review following the validation of its Market Authorization Application by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

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 exceed 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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