Genometrix Inc., of The Woodlands, Texas, said it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,083,763 titled "Multiplexed Molecular Analysis Apparatus and Method." It covers key aspects of microarray printing.

Genzyme Corp., of Cambridge, Mass., said it was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,066,626, covering all aspects of gene therapy for the treatment of Fabry disease. The claims apply to all methods of in vivo administration.

Geron Corp., of Menlo Park, Calif., said it was granted two UK patents covering nuclear transfer technology. UK Patent No. GB2318792 has 32 claims covering methods of nuclear transfer in which the nucleus of a donor cell is transferred into an appropriate recipient egg cell. UK Patent No. GB2340493 has 30 claims directed to compositions of matter produced using this nuclear transfer method.

Immuno-Designed Molecules SA, of Paris, said it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,051,432 for its process for the preparation of human monocyte-derived cells and their use as active substances of pharmaceutical compositions.

Infectech Inc., of Sharon, Pa., said it was granted 12 patent claims for a broadly based method for DNA extraction from bacterial pathogens, such as tuberculosis, M. avium and Pseudomonas. The company also received notification of the publication of its U.S. Patent No. 5,989,902 for the antimicrobial sensitivity testing of tuberculosis, leprosy, Pseudomonas and nocardia.

Ixion Biotechnology, of Alachua, Fla., said it received a notice of allowance from the U.S. patent office of patent claims covering reduced absorption of oxalate in the diet. The claims cover methods for reducing absorption of dietary oxalate by administering a composition of whole live organisms selected from a group of oxalate-degrading microbes or the oxalate-degrading enzymes derived from such organisms.

Lexicon Genetics Inc., of The Woodlands, Texas, said it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,080,576 titled "Vectors for Gene Trapping and Gene Activation." It covers Lexicon's gene trapping technology, which enables the capture of gene sequence information and the high-throughput alteration of mouse embryonic stem cell clones.

Matrix Pharmaceutical Inc., of Fremont, Calif., said it received a U.S. patent covering the composition of IntraDose (cisplatin/epinephrine) Injectable Gel. It covers cisplatin suspensions using nonionic surfactants as dispersants/stabilizers.

Palatin Technologies Inc., of Princeton, N.J., said Competitive Technologies Inc., of Fairfield, Conn., was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,051,555 covering the use of various alpha MSH peptide analogues for stimulating a sexual response in females. Palatin holds an exclusive license to the patent.

Selective Genetics Inc., of San Diego, said it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,054,312 titled "Receptor-mediated Gene Delivery Using Bacteriophage Vectors." The patent covers compositions of filamentous phage and phagemid particles that present a ligand, or binding protein, to its mammalian cell receptor to deliver therapeutic genes.

Sicor Inc., of Irvine, Calif., said its subsidiary, Gensia Sicor Pharmaceuticals Inc., received a notice of allowance from the U.S. patent office for a patent application covering the formulation of propofol with sodium metabisulfite.

Synaptic Pharmaceutical Corp., of Paramus, N.J., said it was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,083,705 for the use of the alpha-adrenergic 1D receptor to screen compounds that bind to it.