AntiCancer Inc., of San Diego, received a patent covering the use of fluorescent proteins for the imaging of cancer, gene expression, stem cells and other processes in animals, as well as humans.

Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc., of San Diego, was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,759,425 titled "Benzimidazole Compounds for Modulating IgE and Inhibiting Cellular Proliferation," covering a broad genus, method of treatment, pharmaceutical composition and method of preparation for the company's lead compound, AVP 13358, and its active metabolite.

AVI BioPharma Inc., of Portland, Ore., received a notice of allowance for a patent application that covers a large portion of its Neugene antisense antiviral technology. The patent covers 14 single-stranded RNA viruses from four families, including hepatitis viruses, Norwalk virus, rhinoviruses and coxsackie viruses.

Bavarian Nordic A/S, of Copenhagen, Denmark, was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,761,893 on its MVA-BN technology, granting exclusive rights to the company upon issuance of the patent and claims MVA-BN and derivatives thereof.

Biolog Inc., of Hayward, Calif., received U.S. Patent No. 6,727,076 for comparative phenotype analysis using its Phenotype MicroArray technology.

Biomoda Inc., of Albuquerque, N.M., received a notice of allowance for a patent titled "Compositions and Methods for Detecting Precancerous Conditions in Cells and Tissue Samples using 5, 10, 15, 20 Tetrakis (Carboxyphenyl) Porphine."

BioTrove Inc., of Woburn, Mass., was issued a patent on a method using its OpenArray platform for high-density cell assay and culture.

Dermatrends Inc., of Minneapolis, received a U.S. patent that covers the method of using bases to enhance the permeation of amine drugs across the skin.