* Alteon Inc., of Ramsey, N.J., said it identified a new compound fortreatment of diabetes-related complications. The compound (ALT-946) is derived from Alteon's lead drug, pimagedine, and isconsidered more potent. Pimagedine is designed to block formationof advanced glycosylation end-products (AGE), whose accumulationhas been linked to diabetes and other age-related diseases. Alteon hasfive clinical trials under way with pimagedine.

* Anergen Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., said preclinical trials of itscompound, MG-AnergiX, indicates the drug may be effective againstmyasthenia gravis (MG), which is an autoimmune disease that causesmuscle wasting in the eyes, face and mouth. The drug, a peptideepitope of an antigen believed to be associated with the disorder, isbeing developed under a collaboration with ZymoGenetics Inc., ofSeattle. ZymoGenetics is a subsidiary of Novo Nordisk A/S, ofBagsvaerd, Denmark.

* Cytogen Corp., of Princeton, N.J., entered a collaboration with ElanCorp. plc., of Athlone, Ireland. Elan will provide $3 million infunding for the first year of the research, which will explore using itsdrug delivery systems for peptide compounds derived fromCytogen's genetic diversity library technology.

* GeneMedicine Inc., of The Woodlands, Texas, said its board ofdirectors adopted a shareholder rights plan to prevent unwantedtakeovers. The company said the move was not a response to anyspecific acquisition attempt.

* Immunomedics Inc., of Morris Plains, N.J., said it will present itscolorectal cancer imaging agent, CEA-Scan, for review to an FDAadvisory committee on Feb. 16, 1996. An advisory committee onOct. 17, 1995, failed to recommend approval of the product, which isan antibody fragment of a mouse monoclonal antibody against thetumor marker, carcinoembryonic antigen.

* Innovir Laboratories Inc., of New York, said preclinical trials of itslead oligonucleotide-based drugs showed they were effective againsthepatitis B. The company also said it has developed a method ofdelivering the compounds, called external guide sequences, to the siteof the infection in the liver.

* Neoprobe Corp., of Dublin, Ohio, said it purchased convertibledebentures of XTL Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., of Rehovot, Israel,worth about 15 percent of the company. The agreement also includesan option to acquire an additional 10 percent equity stake and givesNeoprobe rights to certain XTL technology. Financial terms were notdisclosed.

* North American Biologicals Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla., completedenrollment in the U.S. of 171 cystic fibrosis patients for a Phase IItrial of a polyclonal antibody for prevention and treatment ofpseudomonas. The milestone triggered a "significant" payment fromCambridge, Mass.-based Genzyme Corp., North American's partnerin the drug development project. However, the amount of theGenzyme contribution was not disclosed. Interim data from the PhaseII study is expected by the beginning of the third quarter of 1996.

* Pharmaco International Inc., of Austin, Texas, said the board ofdirectors approved the change in name from Pharmaco LSR. Thecompany said the new appellation followed sale of its toxicologybusiness in November 1995 and restructuring as a contract researchorganization.

* Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., of Jerusalem, said the U.K.'sMedicines Control Agency has asked for additional information onthe company's marketing application for Copaxone, a multiplesclerosis treatment. U.K. approval for the drug is the initial step inTeva's attempt to gain marketing clearance throughout the EuropeanUnion. Copaxone also is under review by the FDA.

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