* CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Newtown, Pa., signed aresearch agreement with Istituto Gentili, of Pisa, Italy, for evaluationof osteoarthritis applications of CollaGenex's technology forpreventing degeneration of connective tissues. Financial terms werenot disclosed. CollaGenex's first product candidate, Periostat, hascompleted Phase III trials and employs the technology in an oral drugfor treatment of periodontal disease.

* PDT Inc., of Santa Barbara, Calif., entered an expandedcollaboration with Pharmacia & Upjohn, of Kalamazoo, Mich., forPDT's light-activated drug, SnET2 (ethyl etiopurpurin). The twocompanies have been working together since July 1995, ondevelopment of SnET2 targeting three areas; oncology, urology anddermatology. The new pact extends the agreement to includeophthalmic applications. Financial terms were not disclosed. PhaseI/II trials of the photodynamic therapy are ongoing for advanced age-related macular degeneration. The drug also is being tested in PhaseII/III studies for skin cancers.

(c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.