* Agennix Inc., of Houston, entered into a $5.94 million partnership with Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., of Osaka, Japan, for development of Agennix's recombinant human lactoferin for treating dry eye disease. Agennix will supply product and receive royalties on sales. Santen gained worldwide marketing rights.

* AltaRex Corp., of Waltham, Mass., said it was notified by Biomira Inc., of Edmonton, Alberta, that Biomira will begin legal action March 2 regarding a patent dispute. AltaRex will delay acceptance of subscriptions to its rights offering until 5 p.m. EST on March 13.

* American Biogenic Sciences Inc., of Copiague, N.Y., produced a single-isomer version of its neurological compound, ABS-103. Animal studies showed it is free of the potential for birth defects associated with valproic acid. The single isomer, R-ABS-103, is more refined than ABS-103, which is a derivative of valproic acid.

* Anika Therapeutics Inc., of Woburn, Mass., filed an investigational device exemption with the FDA seeking approval to begin a Phase III trial of Orthovisc, a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. Anika's initial study was deemed insufficient by the FDA in October.

* Biogen Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., and Ontogeny Inc., also of Cambridge, extended and expanded their collaboration on discovery and commercialization of three cell differentiation factors in the Hedgehog gene family - Sonic, Indian and Desert. The extension was through June 2001, and the expansion was into gene therapy applications. Terms were not disclosed.

* Celgene Corp., of Warren, N.J., is collaborating with the National Cancer Institute's radiation treatment group for a study combining Thalomid (thalidomide) with conventional surgery and radiation for the initial treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. The study, assessing safety and survival, will include about 80 patients.

* Magainin Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., selected Locilex Cream 1 percent as the name for its lead product candidate, which is under review by the FDA for the treatment of infection in diabetic foot ulcers. The product, to be reviewed by an advisory committee March 4, was called Cytolex.