* Biogen Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., said that it persuaded the European Patent Office (EPO) to revoke a patent issued to Dr. Rentschler Biotechnologie GmbH and licensed to Schering AG. The patent involves a specific cell line, production method and form of recombinant beta interferon. Earlier this month, the EPO, which regulates patents in 15 European Union member countries, acceded to a request from Berlin-based Schering to revoke Biogen's production patent for Avonex, its Interferon beta-1a treatment for multiple sclerosis. Schering and Biogen market similar recombinant beta interferon treatments for multiple sclerosis in the U.S. and Europe.

* Inhale Therapeutic Systems, of Palo Alto, Calif., has completed Phase I clinical trials to determine the feasibility of pulmonary delivery of a dry-powder, aerosolized form of salmon calcitonin as a potential treatment for osteoporosis, Pagets' disease, hypercalcemia and other bone diseases. The 36-patient, single-dose study conducted in the U.K. indicated the drug was absorbed through the pulmonary route when delivered with Inhale's system. The company is seeking a partner for further clinical development.

* Matrix Pharmaceutical Inc., of Fremont, Calif., has begun a Phase II liver cancer trial of IntraDose Injectable Gel, a cisplatin-based cancer drug injected directly into tumors using Matrix's patented Therapeutic Implant technology. As many as 37 U.S. and European patients with metastatic liver cancer will receive up to four treatments within a six-week period, with a possible second cycle of four treatments. Study endpoints are tumor response, tumor necrosis, pattern of progression, time to progression and survival. A similarly designed Phase II trial in patients with primary liver cancer is planned to begin in the second quarter of this year. Matrix is also running Phase III trials of IntraDose for head and neck cancer indications.

* Vascular Therapeutics Inc., of Mountain View, Calif., and its affiliate, Vascular Therapeutics Canada Inc., report the completion of a 40-patient Phase I clinical study of Vasoflux, an anticoagulant with "novel mechanisms of action." Researchers administered escalating doses of Vasoflux, both alone and in combination with heparin, and found no significant adverse effects as they followed the patients for four weeks.