* Hybridon Inc., of Worcester, Mass., said the FDA approved its investigational new drug application to begin clinical trials of GEM 132, an antisense drug, for AIDS-related cytomegalovirus retinitis. The open-label trial will enroll 14 patients who will receive intravitreal injections of GEM 132.

* Pharmacopeia Inc., of Princeton, N.J., received an undisclosed milestone payment from its partner, Berlex Laboratories Inc., of Wayne, N.J., in their drug development collaboration. Berlex, a subsidiary of Berlin, Germany-based Schering AG, also extended the alliance.