ImClone Systems Inc., of New York, received a patent covering therapeutic combinations of a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor antibody with radiation or chemotherapy.

Immtech International Inc., of Vernon Hills, Ill., received U.S. Patent No. 6,815,461, titled "Method for Inhibiting Retroviral Integrase," protecting bis-benzimidazole dicationic structures and a related group of compounds as inhibitors of retroviral integrase.

Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Miami, was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,818,229 titled "Intermediate Release Nicotinic Acid Compositions for Treating Hyperlipidemia," covering characteristics found in the company's cholesterol drugs, Niaspan and Advicor.

Morphotek Inc., of Exton, Pa., was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,825,038 for generating genetically evolved mammalian cells. The patent covers the regulation of mismatch repair, a process for generating functional diversity in mammalian cells to yield sibs with phenotypes for target discovery. Also, Morphotek received U.S. Patent 6,808,894 covering the generation of genetically enhanced antibody producer cell lines.

NuGEN Technologies Inc., of San Carlos, Calif., received U.S. Patent No. 6,815,164 directed toward nucleic acid-detection methods and probes for detecting specified nucleic acid sequences.

Odyssey Thera Inc., of San Ramon, Calif., received U.S. Patent No. 6,828,099 titled "Protein-Fragment Complementation Assays (PCA) for the Detection of Protein-Protein, Protein-Small-Molecule and Protein-Nucleic Acid Interactions Based on the E. Coli TEM-1 Beta-Lactamase."

Pharmaxis Ltd., of Sydney, Australia, received a patent for a possible treatment for multiple sclerosis, extending intellectual property protection for its autoimmune disease research. Patch International Inc., of Calgary, Alberta, has an equity stake in Pharmaxis.

Primagen Holding BV, of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, received a notice of allowance for the use of mitochondrial nucleic acid as a tool to measure toxicity and efficacy of pharmaceutical compounds.

Proteus SA, of Nimes, France, was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,818,396 addressing the functional screening of active compounds using in vitro protein expression, as part of the company's Phenomics technology.

Sangamo BioSciences Inc., of Richmond, Calif., received a patent titled "Regulation of Endogenous Gene Expression in Cells Using Zinc Finger Proteins" to include the delivery of protein-based ZFP therapeutics.

SemBioSys Genetics Inc., of Calgary, Alberta, was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,761,914 titled "Immunogenic Formulations Comprising Oilbodies," covering composition of matter and methods for preparing and administering immunogenic formulations involving antigen-coated plant and oilbodies.

Transmolecular Inc., of Birmingham, Ala., was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,667,156 relating to the use of its peptide therapeutics based on chlorotoxin, a small peptide derived from scorpion venom, for diagnosis and treatment of neuroectodermal tumors. Also, Transmolecular received U.S. Patent No. 6,573,067 titled "Nucleic Acid Encoding Sodium Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglia," relating to tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel, Nav1.9, as well as screening assays for identifying agents to treat acute or chronic pain.