* Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Carlsbad, Calif., said studies publishedin the August issue of Molecular Pharmacology demonstrated ISIS3251/CGP 64128A inhibited tumor growth in an animal model ofhuman brain cancer. The antisense compound, an inhibitor of PKC-alpha gene expression, is in a Phase I trial in cancer patients with avariety of solid tumors.

* Protein Polymer Technologies Inc., of San Diego, said it extendedthe initial research and development stage of its collaboration withJohnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon Inc. until the end of the year.They are developing surgical tissue adhesives and sealants. ProteinPolymer will get an additional $400,000 in the extended agreement.

* BioChem Pharma Inc., of Laval, Quebec, entered a collaborationwith XTL Biopharmaceuticals, of Rehovot, Israel, for drug discoveryaimed a developing treatments for hepatitis C. Financial terms werenot disclosed. The agreement gives BioChem Pharma an exclusivetwo-year license to XTL's Trimera technology for creating models ofthe infection.

* North American Vaccine Inc., of Beltsville, Md., signed anagreement in principal worth up to $42 million with AbbottLaboratories, of Abbott Park, Ill., for marketing of the former'sdiphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine, which is underreview by the FDA. The deal gives Abbott rights to market thevaccine to physicians and managed health care companies in the U.S.North American Vaccine will market the product to governmentpurchasers.

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