¿ Affymetrix Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif., reached agreement with the National Cancer Institute on terms for allowing the research community broad access to Affymetrix¿s GeneChip probe array technology. The technology is used to acquire, analyze and manage genetic information. Terms were not disclosed.

¿ Sonus Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Bothell, Wash., received an approvable letter from the FDA for its ultrasound contrast agent, EchoGen (perflenapent injectable emulsion). Certain unspecified conditions have to be satisfied before final approval. The indication is for echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular endocardial border delineation and left ventricular chamber opacification.