* Cortecs International, of London, said preliminary datafrom a Phase I/II trial of Pseudostate in patients withbronchiectasis showed the oral vaccine againstpseudomonas infections triggered an immune response inparticipants in the open trial. The study is beingconducted at the company's Australian Institute forMucosal Immunology in Newscastle. The vaccine targetslung infections caused by the bacterium, pseudomonasaeruginosa. Phase II trials of the vaccine are expected tobegin in 1996 in cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchitispatients.

* Corvas International Inc., of San Diego, saidpreclinical studies of its thrombin inhibitor, which isderived from proteins produced by blood-feedinghookworms (ancylostoma caninum), showed thecompound was effective and safe as an anti-blood-clotting drug. The company calls the class of compoundsnematode anticoagulant proteins (NAP). Tested in thepreclinical trials, recombinant NAP-5 is designed toblock Factor Xa, an enzyme involved in bloodcoagulation. Corvas also is developing an oral form of thethrombin inhibitors. In preclinical studies the orallyadministered drug, CVS-1123, proved effective inpreventing blood clots without adverse side effects.

* CytoTherapeutics Inc., of Providence, R.I., said a pilotclinical trial of its cell-containing implant of recombinantciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) for treatment ofamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease)achieved delivery of CNTF to the central nervous systemat the desired levels with no serious side effects. Tenpatients participated in the study. The implants, surgicallyplaced in the fluid around the spine, are non-human cellsengineered to release CNTF.

* Gensia Inc., of San Diego, said the exchange ratio forthe stock portion of its buy-back of Aramed Inc., aresearch spin-off, is .6369 Gensia shares for each Aramedshare. In addition, Aramed stockholders are getting $8 incash, a contingent value right worth $1 in cash or Gensiastock on March 31, 1996, plus up to an additional .75Gensia shares Dec. 31, 1996. The buy-out is valued atbetween $12.50 to $13 per share. Based on the .6369exchange ratio, Gensia would issue about 1.83 millionshares. The purchase still must be approved by Aramedstockholders.

* Phoenix International Life Sciences, of Saint Laurent,Canada, acquired the Clinical Research Center, of Laval,Canada, for $500,000 (Canadian), $1 million worth ofPhoenix shares and other considerations. Phoenix is acontract research organization. The company said it hasexpanded its Phase II through Phase IV studies businesswith the purchase of the Clinical Research Center, whichspecializes in advanced clinical development services.

* SuperGen Inc., of Emeryville, Calif., said it receivedorphan drug status from the FDA for an aplastic anemiatreatment, RF 1017. The drug is a human hormonederivative being evaluated in Phase I/II trials.

* T Cell Sciences Inc., of Needham, Mass., said initialclinical trials of TP10 showed the compound reducedcomplement activation in patients with acute lunginjuries. TP10 is a soluble version of a receptor on redblood cells. By inhibiting a complement response, thedrug is designed to prevent the unleashing of cell-destroying enzymes, which when produced in excess cancause dangerous inflammation associated with suchdisorders as cardiac reperfusion, transplant rejection andrespiratory ailments. Phase II trials of TP10 are expectedto begin in 1996 for adult respiratory distress syndrome.

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