Morphotek Inc., of Exton, Pa., was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,982,169, covering the use of chemical inhibitors to enhance evolution of target host cell genomics by reversibly regulating mismatch repair in vivo.

Neose Technologies Inc., of Horsham, Pa., received a notice of allowance for a patent related to its GlycoPEGylation technology. It covers glycosyl-linked poly(ethylene glycol) conjugates of therapeutic peptides.

Oncolytics Biotech Inc., of Calgary, Alberta, was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,994,858, titled "Reovirus Clearance of Ras-Mediated Neoplastic Cells from Mixed Cellular Compositions." That patent covers methods of using the reovirus ex vivo to eliminate contaminating cancer cells from autologous blood stem cell transplants.

Prion Development Laboratories, of Buffalo Grove, Ill., received a notice of allowance for a patent covering a method of testing for all transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in animals and humans using its Rapid Prion-Detection Assay.

Provectus Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Knoxville, Tenn., received U.S. Patent No. 6,986,740, covering the use of Provecta, a tumor-specific small molecule, in conjunction with ultrasound imaging. The company also received U.S. Patent No. 6,991,776, which covers the use of Provecta for radiosensitization.

ReNeuron Group plc, of Guildford, UK, received a notice of allowance for a patent covering methods of treatment of different types of brain damage by the transplantation of conditionally immortal stem cells. It includes cell lines produced using ReNeuron's c-mycER platform technology.

Sirna Therapeutics Inc., of San Francisco, received U.S. Patent No. 6,989,442, covering the chemical synthesis and manufacturing of ribonucleic acids.

Targeted Genetics Corp., of Seattle, was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,989,264, titled "Methods for generating high titer helper-free preparation of released recombinant AAV vectors." The patent covers its adeno-associated virus (AAV) purification processes in which recombinant AAV vectors are highly purified using opposing anion and cation chromatography. The company also received U.S. Patent No. 6,995,006, relating to its AAV vector manufacturing processes.

Threshold Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,989,400, claiming methods for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia with TH-070, and U.S. Patent No. 6,979,675, claiming methods of treating cancer by repeat dosing of therapeutically effective amounts of 2-deoxyglucose.

Xanthus Life Sciences Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,989,390, covering the use of its cancer drug, Xanafide, a new salt form of amonafide, for the treatment of cancers, including breast, colon, lung, prostate and leukemia.

Ziopharm Oncology Inc., of New York, was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,995,188, covering the treatment of cancer using organic arsenics, including ZIO-101, in combination with other agents or therapies.