Cell Pathways Inc., of Horsham, Pa., said it was issued a patent in Europe and Japan covering methods of identifying compounds that selectively stimulate apoptosis in precancerous or cancerous cells.

Enzo Biochem Inc., of Farmingdale, N.Y., said it was issued two patents, one in the U.S. that covers broad applications in nucleic acid technology and one in Canada for antisense RNA.

Myriad Genetics Inc., of Salt Lake City, said it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,087,099 titled "Method for Sequencing Both Strands of a Double Stranded DNA in a Single Sequencing Reaction." It covers technology instrumental in the acceleration of the DNA sequencing process and reducing its cost, the company said.

Oxigene Inc., of Boston, and Techniclone Corp., of Tustin, Calif., said they were issued U.S. Patent No. 6,093,399 titled "Methods and Compositions for the Specific Coagulation of Vasculature." It broadly covers Vascular Targeting Agent compositions that include a coagulation factor.

ProdiGene Inc., of College Station, Texas, said it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,087,558. It covers the commercial production of proteases in plants.

RTP Pharma Inc., of Montreal, said it was issued a patent covering more efficient method of water-insoluble drug delivery using CFC-free propellants.

Synthetic Blood International Inc., of Kettering, Ohio, said it was issued a patent titled "Improved Perflourocarbons for Biological Gas Exchange and Method." It covers the use of Fluorovent in treating respiratory disorders in adults and children and includes claims for the pulmonary use of an emulsion as well as liquefied perfluorocarbon.

Targeted Genetics Corp., of Seattle, said it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,083,751 titled "Chimeric Receptors for the Generation of Selectively-activatable Th-independent Cytotoxic T Cells." It covers a specific type of immune cell engineered to express a novel receptor.

Vion Pharmaceuticals Inc., of New Haven, Conn., said it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,080,849 covering TAPET (Tumor Amplified Protein Expression Therapy) antisense technology. It covers the tumor targeting Salmonella bacterial vectors carrying a genetically modified msbB gene as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing the Salmonella.

Zila Inc., of Phoenix, Ariz., said it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,086,852 titled "In Vivo Stain Composition, Process and Manufacture & Methods of Use to Identify Dysplastic Tissue." It covers the company's Tolonium Chloride cancer detection system.