Berkeley-based XOMA (NASDAQ XOMA) will use technology it has developed to "humanize" the antibody, making it suitable for use in humans.

Attenuon, a San Diego-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, will pay XOMA an upfront fee, developent milestones and royalties. Further details of the deal were not disclosed.

XOMA's chairman of the board, president, and CEO, Jack Castello, said in the announcement that the agreement is another step forward for XOMA in making its humanizing technology a significant line of business. XOMA announced a $6 million agreement on Sept 28 to manufacture and supply an antibody processed by the same technology for AVEO Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Cambridge, Mass.