* Cypros Pharmaceutical Corp., of Carlsbad, Calif.,began multiple Phase II trials of its compound, CPC-111,to treat sickle cell anemia patients' ischemia, which istriggered by sickle-shaped red blood cells that clogcapillaries. The company also has Phase II trials of thedrug under way for congestive heart failure and ischemiaassociated with open heart surgery. CPC-111 is a smallmolecule compound designed to generate cellular energyin the absence of oxygen.

* Envirogen Inc., of Lawrenceville, N.J., was awarded atwo-year, $646,000 contract from the U.S. Air Force fordevelopment of specialized bacteria to destroychlorinated solvents in ground water.

* The California Health Care Institute, of La Jolla, Calif.,named as chairman Gorden Binder, CEO of Amgen Inc.,of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Edward Penhoet, CEO ofChiron Corp., of Emeryville, Calif., was appointedchairman-elect of the public policy research organization.

* Xenova Group plc, of Slough, England, received a grantworth up to $696,000 from the U.K Department of Tradeand Industry for development of an anti-cancer treatmentaimed at combating multi-drug resistance inchemotherapy patients. The grant will support expensesthrough Phase I clinical trials of the compound, which isderived from a microorganism.

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