* Cangene Corp., of Toronto, acquired a plasma collection facility inVan Nuys, Calif., called Serex International Inc. Cangene saidplasma secured through the facility should allow increasedproduction and sales of WinRho SD, the company's hyperimmuneproduct.

* CytoTherapeutics Inc., of Providence, R.I., said human ciliaryneurotrophic factor delivered via the company's encapsulated-celldevices prevented the loss of specific neurons that would otherwisehave died in a rodent model of Huntington's disease. Results arereported in the current issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

* Hybridon Inc., of Worcester, Mass., began a Phase I study inLondon of GEM 132, which Hybridon said is believes is the firstadvanced chemistry antisense compound administered to humans.The study will involve 18 healthy volunteers. GEM 132 is beingdeveloped for cytomegalovirus and CMV retinitis.

* 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.

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