Receptagen has signed an agreement with the National ResearchCouncil in Canada involving the development of small moleculecompounds that would inhibit accelerated apoptosis found in disorderssuch as neurodegenerative diseases, congestive heart failure and AIDS.The deal expands a 1993 research collaboration between Receptagen,of Vancouver, Canada, and the National Research Council's Institute ofBiological Sciences in Ottawa. The original agreement was to developdrugs to induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, based ondepletion of vitamin B12 in cancer cells.Under the expanded collaboration, the National Research Council willstudy the effectiveness of an oral compound identified by Receptagenas a potential cell death blocker. The compound is still in preclinicalstudies.Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.Receptagen also is developing a potential immune stimulant, calledCoenzyme Q10, as a treatment for AIDS. The company hopes to beginclinical trials of the drug this year.Coenzyme Q10 already is approved in Japan and Europe for congestiveheart failure. _ Charles Craig082594

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