* Affymetrix Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif., entered into a series of agreements with Beckman Coulter Inc., of Fullerton, Calif., to commercialize DNA arrays under patents owned by, or licensed to, the two companies. Under the pact, they will develop and sell GeneChip and other DNA probe arrays and related instrument systems for bioresearch and diagnostic markets. GeneChip consists of disposable DNA probe arrays containing gene sequences on a chip, and other instruments to analyze and manage genetic information.* Aviron, of Mountain View, Calif., started a large, multi-year clinical trial to assess the impact of community-wide pediatric influenza immunization. The Temple, Texas, trial will involve 15,000 children to evaluate the impact of inoculating them with FluMist intranasal influenza vaccine. The trial is funded with a $3 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. FluMist is currently under FDA review for marketing approval.

* Cel-Sci Corp., of Vienna, Va., reported that mice immunized with three experimental herpes vaccines showed reduced symptoms and increased survival after being challenged with the herpes virus. The results appear to be based on cellular immune responses since no antibodies to the vaccine were observed. The vaccines are based on Cel-Sci's Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation System (LEAPS technology).

* Dendreon Corp., of Mountain View, Calif., will relocate its corporate operations to Seattle in a 50,000-square-foot building formerly owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., of New York. Dendreon will keep its cell processing center in Mountain View.

* Endorex Corp., of Chicago, said its common stock is now listed on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol DOR.

* Idun Pharmaceuticals Inc., of La Jolla Calif., licensed from Emory University, in Atlanta, a patent application covering an apoptosis model system that uses normal cell extracts. The cell extracts can be stimulated to undergo programmed cell death, allowing scientists to study the biochemistry of apoptosis and to screen for compounds that activate or inhibit it.

Immunex Corp., of Seattle, licensed its patented protein granulocyte-colony stimulation factor (G-CSF) receptor to SmithKline Beecham plc, of London, for research and development. Immunex will receive an undisclosed up-front signing fee, milestone and royalty payments, and will retain a stake in any commercial product. G-CSF is a protein that stimulates neutrophil production and mobilizes the hematopoietic progenitor cells into peripheral blood. This growth factor acts by binding to the G-CSF receptor, which was cloned by Immunex.