Immunomedics Inc., of Morris Plains, N.J., was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,548,275 covering several methods and compositions for treating infectious diseases. Such methods involve the conjugation of polyspecific antibodies with various therapeutic agents in order to allow selective targeting and delivery of the therapeutics to the site of infection.

Neurocrine Biosciences Inc., of San Diego, was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,544,999 covering a stable polymorph of indiplon, its compound for the treatment of insomnia. Neurocrine said the patent would provide patent protection for indiplon's crystalline form until 2020.

V.I. Technologies Inc., of Watertown, Mass., received a notice of allowance further expanding its coverage on the Inactine pathogen-reduction system for red blood cells, currently in Phase III trials. This patent relates to the manufacturing process of its inactivation compound that targets DNA and RNA in viruses, bacteria and parasites.

Vivus Inc., of Mountain View, Calif., was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,548,490 titled "Transmucosal Administration of Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction." Vivus said it provides broad protection for transmucosal administration of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in treating erectile dysfunction, as well as buccal, sublingual and rectal routes of administration.

Zapaq Inc., of Waltham, Mass., said the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City and the University of Illinois were allowed U.S. Patent No. 6,545,127 covering tools for the discovery of memapsin 2 inhibitors for use in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Zapaq exclusively licenses the patent.