Ecogen Inc., an agricultural biotechnology company specializingin biological pest control, announced that it has been issued apatent covering the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene.

The Langhorne, Pa., company (NASDAQ:EECN) said the Bt geneproduces a protein that controls corn rootworms and whitegrubs. The patent also covers the Bt strains that contain thegene, the company added.

The company said the protein arrests the digestive activities ofthe corn root worm and white grub without harming plants,animals, or humans.

Ecogen's stock closed unchanged at $7 a share on Friday.

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