Infectech Inc., of Sharon, Pa., said it was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,274,377 titled ¿Methods of Inducing Apoptosis in a Cell,¿ which covers the nontoxic induction of apoptosis.

Infigen Inc., of Deforest, Wis., said it received U.S. Patent No. 6,258,998 covering the cloning of pigs using any porcine cell, including non-embryonic cells and for the reprogramming of non-totipotent cells. The patent also covers material relating to enhanced efficiencies for cloning pigs from all kinds of cells.

Interleukin Genetics Inc., of Waltham, Mass., said it received U.S. Patent No. 6,268,142. The patent recognizes the company¿s work correlating polymorphisms within the IL-1 gene cluster with common inflammatory diseases, and covers diagnostic, pharmacogenetic and therapeutic applications based on knowledge of the genetic variations in an individual¿s IL-1 genes.

Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Miami, said that its Aeropharm Technology Inc. subsidiary received U.S. Patent No. 6,261,539 covering a broad aerosol formulation methodology applicable to a wide range of medications using propellants in pressurized metered-dose inhalation devices.

NeoTherapeutics Inc., of Irvine, Calif., said it received a U.S. patent covering the use of purine derivatives, such as the company¿s Neotrofin, to selectively activate or depress genes encoding for molecules such as neurotrophic factors.

Osborn Scientific Group, of Lakeside, Ariz., said Robert Bohannon received U.S. Patent No. 6,210,677 for his method to produce cocaine vaccines. The patent covers a method to treat users, or potential users, of cocaine with a vaccine capable of rendering cocaine virtually useless as a recreational drug.

Phylos Inc., of Lexington, Mass., said it was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,258,558 titled ¿Selection of Proteins Using RNA-Protein Fusions.¿ The patented technology is licensed to Phylos from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and forms the basis of the company¿s PROfusion in vitro combinatorial biology platform.

SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc., of San Mateo, Calif., said the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a notice of allowance for the company¿s lead drug, Zadaxin, plus lamivudine and famciclovir for the treatment of hepatitis B. Zadaxin is an immune system enhancer.

Synaptic Pharmaceutical Corp., of Paramus, N.J., said it was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,262,246 titled ¿DNA Encoding Mammalian Neuropeptides FF (NPFF) Receptors and Uses Thereof.¿ The patent covers the discovery of a receptor linked to pain, blood pressure and other functions.

Vyrex Corp., of La Jolla, Calif., said it received U.S. Patent No. 6,254,853 BI covering water-soluble prodrugs of Propofol for the treatment of diseases, states and conditions associated with the nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.