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.

Variagenics Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., said McGill University in Montreal was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,074,821 titled "cDNA for Human Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase." The company has an exclusive license to the patent. The gene may play a role in cancer and cardiovascular disease.