Some additional positive results for its pilot study of a potential treatment of uveitis of Behcet's disease were announced by Xoma Ltd. a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies on Wednesday.

Rapid reduction of intraocular inflammation and improvement in visual acuity or other ophthalmic measures following a single treatment with XOMA 052 were displayed by all seven patients with Behcet's disease enrolled in the XOMA 052 trial, as previously reported.

Due to a recurring uveitis exacerbation responded again to the treatment and maintained their responses for several months, the Berkeley, Calif., company said a group of five patients re-treated with the drug candidate Xoma
052.

Uvea which is in the middle layer of the eye gets swelled up in Uveitis. The company said retinal detachment, glaucoma and eventual blindness without immediate treatment can be caused by Behcet's uveitis.

Key goals of reducing swelling and improving visual acuity in a seven-person early-stage study were stated by the company in June when its drug candidate had met and it appeared to be safe.

In morning trading, shares of Xoma rose a penny to $2.46.