* Acacia Biosciences Inc., of Richmond, Calif., said the University of California received patent No. 5,777,888, covering computational analysis and database storage of signals measured in in vitro and cell-based assays. Acacia has exclusive rights to the patent.

* Aclara BioSciences Inc., of Hayward, Calif., received patent No. 5,770,029, which describes an apparatus that can electronically control fluid movement in branched capillary-sized trenches.

* Advanced Tissue Sciences Inc., of La Jolla, Calif., received patent No. 5,785,964, covering 3-D tissue products made with genetically modified cells for gene therapy applications. Genetically modified tissue products may provide a delivery vehicle for therapeutic proteins.

* Amarillo Biosciences Inc., of Amarillo, Texas, received a notice of allowance for its patent titled "Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases." The patent covers use of low dose oral interferon in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

* Anergen Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., received patent No. 5,734,023, for its AnergiX pharmaceutical development technology. The patent involves the binding of key disease-specific proteins or peptides to a subunit of the disease-associated major histocompatibility complex. AnergiX-based compounds are designed to bind to disease-specific immune cells, causing them to deactivate.

* Biopool International Inc., of Ventura, Calif., said a patent titled "Characterization or determination of the amount of blood cells by means of poultry antibodies" was issued to the technology's two Swedish inventors, Tomas Lindahl and Anders Larsson. Biopool has an exclusive license to the patent, which covers a method of using antibodies derived from poultry sources to detect blood platelets and measure their activation.

* CorMedica Corp., of Natick, Mass., received patent No. 5,769,843 covering a method of percutaneous transluminal endocardial revascularization, which uses the company's electromagnetic navigation technology. Percutaneous myocardial revascularization is a minimally invasive procedure to treat coronary artery disease patients, including those who are not considered good candidates for bypass surgery or angioplasty.

* GeneMedicine Inc., of The Woodlands, Texas, has rights to four recently issued patents covering aspects of gene therapy. Patent No. 5,763,270, titled "Plasmid for delivery of nucleic acids and methods of use," was awarded to the company. Patent No. 5,750,367 ("Human and mouse very low density lipoprotein receptors and methods for use of such receptors"), No. 5,756,264 ("Expression vector systems and methods of use") and No. 5,770,580 ("Somatic gene therapy to cells associated with fluid spaces") were awarded to the Baylor College of Medicine, of Houston. GeneMedicine has exclusive licenses to the three patents.

* Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Baltimore, received patent No. 5,786,378, titled "Heterocyclic thioesters." The patent relates to the composition and uses of a novel class of compounds that promote nerve growth and repair for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

* Immusol Inc., of San Diego, received patent No. 5,741,706 for anti-HIV ribozymes and their use to treat HIV-infected cells in vitro and in vivo.

* InSite Vision Inc., of Alameda, Calif., received a notice of allowance for a patent that includes composition of matter claims for antibodies to the glaucoma-associated TIGR protein, including discovery of the TIGR gene, protein and antibodies and their use. The company also received a notice of allowance for a patent covering methods of diagnosing primary congenital glaucoma using the CYP1B1 gene.

* Nexell Therapeutics Inc., of Irvine, Calif., jointly owned by Vimrx Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Wilmington, Del., and Baxter Healthcare Corp., of Deerfield, Ill., received notice of allowance for a patent covering infusion of neutrophil (white blood cells responsible for fighting bacterial infections) precursors for treatment of neutropenia.

* OraVax Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., received patent No. 5,733,740, titled "CagA gene and methods for detecting predisposition to peptic ulceration and gastric carcinoma," for use in identifying especially virulent strains of Helicobacter pylori, which causes peptic ulcers and has been linked to gastric cancer. The patent describes a method for detecting serum antibodies against the CagA protein of the H. pylori bacteria.

* Pangaea Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., received patent No. 5,783,567, titled "Microparticles for delivery of nucleic acid," covering methods and means for delivering RNA and plasmid DNA-based drugs within microspheres with a diameter less than 100 microns. The patent covers Pangaea's DNA microencapsulation drug delivery system known as Ensphere.

* Promega Corp., of Madison, Wis., and Research Genetics Inc., of Huntsville, Ala., said patent No. 5,766,847, titled "Process for Analyzing Length Polymorphisms in DNA Regions" was issued to the Max Planck Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaftern e.V. The patent, licensed by Promega and Research Genetics, covers the basic method for analyzing length polymorphisms in DNA — also known as STRS (short tandem repeats), which are used in genetic identification applications, including forensics, paternity testing and plant and animal breeding.

* RiboGene Inc., of Hayward, Calif., received patent No. 5,760,086, titled "Nasal administration of agents for treatment of delayed onset emesis." The patent involves the use of Emitasol (intransal metaclopramide), RiboGene's product for treatment of delayed onset emesis associated with chemotherapy. RiboGene has granted Roberts Pharmaceutical Corp., of Eatontown, N.J., an exclusive license to the patent.