Adherex Technologies Inc., of Ottawa, Ontario, was issued two U.S. patents related to its therapeutic approaches to cancer management, providing for claims with applications in inhibiting cell proliferation and in more effective delivery of drugs to cancers, particularly skin tumors.

Astralis Ltd., of Fairfield, N.J., was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,673,351 titled "Composition and Methods for the Treatment and Clinical Remission of Psoriasis," focusing on Psoraxine's manufacturing and usage for the treatment and clinical remission of psoriasis, as well as a partial gene sequence of the protein.

EPIX Medical Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,676,929, granting composition-of-matter claims for the chemical structure of its lead compound, MS-325 (gadofosveset), a contrast agent designed for vascular imaging with magnetic resonance angiography.

Genetronics Biomedical Corp., of San Diego, was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,578,558 titled "Method and apparatus for reducing electroporation-mediated muscle reaction and pain response," which includes claims to less severe methods for delivering an agent, such as a drug or polynucleotide, into a cell. The company also received U.S. Patent No. 6,678,566 titled "Electrical field therapy with reduced histopathological change in muscle," which includes claims to methods for reducing changes in target muscle tissue from the application of an electric field.