The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System, of Austin, Texas, was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,251,871 titled ¿p16 Expression Constructs and Their Application in Cancer Therapy.¿ The patent covers the inhibition of tumor growth using the p16 tumor suppressor gene encoded in an adenoviral vector when delivered via intratumoral injection.

Varian Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif., was awarded three U.S. patents: U.S. Patent No. 6,155,113 covering ¿Stirring Shaft Monitoring Comparator,¿ which is a tool that helps bring drugs to market more quickly by streamlining processes and shortening the amount of time it takes pharmaceutical companies to perform the FDA and the U.S. Pharmacopeia physical parameter testing on a dissolution tester for active drug tables and capsules; U.S. Patent No. 6,177,798, or ¿Flow-Through NMR Probe Having a Replaceable NMR Flow Tube,¿ which is an apparatus that enhances productivity by enabling repetitive sample injections and extending the range for NMR; and U.S. Patent No. 6,158,986 covering ¿Compact Turbomolecular Pump,¿ which is integrated into gas chromatograph/mass spectrometers. It includes a new rotor design with streamlined axial direction and smaller mechanical bearings.

Vical Inc., of San Diego, was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,297,219 covering direct injection of genetic material into tumors or surrounding tissue using viral, lipid-based or other nonviral gene delivery compositions.

Vivus Inc., of Mountain View, Calif., was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,294,550 titled ¿Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction.¿

Vysis Inc., of Downers Grove, Ill., was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,277,569B1 covering ¿Methods for Multiple Direct Label Probe Detection of Multiple Chromosomes or Regions thereof by In Situ Hybridization.¿ The company also was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,280,929B1 covering a ¿Method of Detecting Genetic Translocation Identified with Chromosomal Abnormalities.¿

Waratah Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Montreal, was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,288,301. The patent covers composition of matter claims on the growth factor product used in its Islet Neogenesis Therapy for the treatment of diabetes.