• Alfacell Corp., of Bloomfield, N.J., said Onconase (ranpirnase) would be evaluated alongside other medications in a program to prevent mesothelioma in the Nevsehir region of Turkey, where there is a high risk of the disease. The company hypothesizes that Onconase will block the formation of tumors and therefore arrest or eradicate the disease in its early stages without the need for surgery. It and the other drugs will be provided at no cost to patients, with clinical costs to be paid by the Turkish Government.

• Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Bridgewater, N.J., priced $225 million worth of 4 percent convertible senior notes due in 2013. In addition, the company granted the initial purchasers an option to acquire an additional $50 million. All are convertible at the holder's option into Enzon common stock at $9.55 per share, a 25 percent premium above the stock's $7.64 closing price on May 17. Enzon intends to use its proceeds to buy down its outstanding 4.5 percent convertible subordinated notes due in 2008.

• Jerini AG, of Berlin, and Baxter AG, of Deerfield, Ill., reported progress in their collaborative research program to develop a non-intravenous therapy for hemophilia, stating that extensive in vitro and in vivo analyses identified several synthetic lead molecules with promising pharmacological properties for further development. The companies began working together in 2001, expanding the agreement in 2004. Under the terms, Jerini received an up-front payment, and could receive milestones and royalties.

• SRI International, of Menlo Park, Calif., received a $931,000 contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., to develop an oral formulation for calcium DTPA and zinc DTPA, two drugs approved for decorporation. Such agents increase the rate of elimination or excretion of absorbed, inhaled or ingested radioactive contaminants.