* Cambridge Neuroscience Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., andBoehringer Ingelheim GmbH, of Ingelheim, Germany, began apivotal trial of Cerestat in stroke patients. The international trial with900 patients will compare two doses of Cerestat to placebo. Theagent already is in a pivotal study for traumatic brain injury. (SeeBioWorld Today, March 7, 1996, and March 29, 1996, p. 1.)

* DepoTech Corp., of San Diego, withdrew a follow-on publicoffering of two million shares. It cited negative market conditions.(See BioWorld Today, July 15, 1996, p. 2.)

* Human Genome Sciences Inc., of Rockville, Md., and SmithKlineBeecham, of Philadelphia, signed a definitive agreement with MerckKGaA, of Darmstadt, Germany, allowing Merck access to genomictechnology. Excluding milestones and royalties Merck will pay about$50 million during the initial term of the deal, which runs until June2001. (See BioWorld Today, April 19, 1996, and July 3, 1996, p. 1.)

* ID Biomedical Inc., of Vancouver, B.C., raised C$3.2 millionthrough the exercise of warrants issued as part of a July 1994 privateplacement. A total of 430,860 shares were issued.

* Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Boulder, Colo., and Alza Corp.,of Palo Alto, Calif., are collaborating on a feasibility program usingAlza's osmotic pumps to deliver synthetic ribozymes against a centralnervous system disease target. The companies may extend thecollaboration if feasibility studies show promise.

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