Seragen Inc. has signed a letter of intent with Ajinomoto Co.Inc. that will give the Hopkinton, Mass., company worldwiderights to interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene patents owned by theJapanese Foundation for Cancer Research and Ajinomoto.

In addition, Ajinomoto will have the option to becomeSeragen's partner for developing and marketing its IL-2 fusiontoxin in Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea.

Seragen (NASDAQ:SRGN) is currently in clinical trials with itsIL-2 receptor-targeted fusion toxin for a number of diseaseindications. In particular, Phase I/II clinical trials are underway for treating severe psoriasis, chemotherapy-resistantlymphomas and HIV infection. -- Jennifer Van Brunt

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