Coley Pharmaceutical Group, of Wellesley, Mass., was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,406,705, providing composition claims for CpG immunostimulants in combination with adjuvants. The patent broadens coverage for Coley's CpG oligonucleotide products to include combinations with conventional adjuvants.

Esperion Therapeutics Inc., of Ann Arbor, Mich., was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,410,802 covering methods of synthesizing ether compounds that could be used for treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases, lipid disorders and glucose metabolism disorders.

Maxim Pharmaceuticals Inc., of San Diego, was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,305,380 titled "Method for Treatment of Cancer and Infectious Disease" covering the use of interferon-alpha, in combination with any histamine Type II receptor agonist. It also was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,375,946 titled "Enhanced Activation of Natural Killer Cells Using an NK Cell Activator and a Hydrogen Peroxide Scavenger or Inhibitor," and U.S. Patent No. 6,407,133 titled "Treatment and Prevention of Reactive Oxygen Metabolite-Mediated Cellular Damage."

NexMed Inc., of Robbinsville, N.J., received U.S. Patent No. 6,414,028 for its application titled "Topical Compositions Containing Prostaglandin E1." The patent covers new and optimized topical formulations of prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil). Alprox-TD is NexMed's cream treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Tustin, Calif., was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,416,758 titled "Antibody Conjugate Kits for Selectively Inhibiting VEGF" covering vascular targeting agents.

Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Union City, Calif., was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,410,715 covering the nucleic acid composition of matter for eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding proteins (eIF4E-BPs).