* Cambridge Biotech Corp., of Worcester, Mass., said the U.S.Bankruptcy Court accepted the company's reorganization plan,meaning Cambridge Biotech finally will emerge from bankruptcywithin 30 days. A new firm, Aquila Biopharmaceuticals Inc., willcontinue Cambridge Biotech's therapeutic programs. (See BioWorldToday, April 11, 1996, p. 1.)

* Cel-Sci Corp., of Alexandria, Va., said it purchased all remainingrights to the HGP-30 AIDS vaccine from Nippon Zeon Co. Ltd., ofJapan, for 45,000 shares of Cel-Sci stock. The transaction completesCel-Sci's reacquisition of all HGP-30 rights. It intends to seek newpartners.

* Columbia Laboratories Inc., of Miami, began a Phase I/II trial ofSPC3 for AIDS. The drug is designed to block the spread of HIV bymimicking a part of the virus that helps it infect immune system cells.

* Genetics Institute Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., cross licensed patentsrelated to a family of bone morphogenetic proteins with CreativeBioMolecules Inc., of Hopkinton, Mass., and its corporate partner,Stryker Corp., of Kalamazoo, Mich. The agreement, which is royalty-free, prevents a patent fight over development of drugs based on theproteins. The companies are developing the proteins for boneregeneration and repair.

* Ibex Technologies Inc., of Montreal, began a Phase II study ofNeutralase (heparinase I) to evaluate its effectiveness in neutralizingthe anticoagulant, heparin, following cardiac bypass surgery. Thetrial will involve 40 patients.

* Martek Biosciences Corp., of Columbia, Md., said its screeningagreement with Merck & Co. Inc., of Whitehouse Station, N.J., wasdiscontinued. Merck had screened extracts from Martek's microalgallibrary. Martek said the revenue loss because of the decision is lessthan $45,000.

* VivoRx Inc., of Santa Monica, Calif., received FDA approval tobegin Phase I/II trials of encapsulated porcine islets (BetaRx-P) inType I diabetes patients with kidney transplants. Orphan drug statuswas granted for that indication. The company also began Phase Itrials of the product in Type I diabetics on no immunosuppression.

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