* Abbott Laboratories' board of directors has approved the purchase ofup to 20 million shares of common stock in the open market. TheAbbott Park, Ill.-based company also declared a quarterly dividend of19 cents a share, payable on Nov. 15 to shareholders of record at theclose of business Oct. 14.* Advanced Tissue Sciences Inc., of La Jolla, Calif., reported that pilotclinical trials of Dermagraft showed improved wound closure intreatment of pressure ulcers. The study divided 50 patients into threedosing groups and one control group. The best results were found inpatients who received two pieces of Dermagraft every two weeks for atotal of eight pieces. In addition, the company said data from a long-term follow-up of patients in an earlier diabetic ulcer pilot trial showeda reduction in recurrence of ulcers.

(c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.