DynaGen Inc. has begun Phase III trials of NicErase-IA toreduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms in hospitalized patients.

The Phase III trial will test the injectable product in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 40 men and 40 women whosmoke at least one pack of cigarettes a day. Symptoms will bedocumented several times a day over a five-day period using astandard Tobacco Withdrawal Symptoms Index questionnaire.

"We believe NicErase-IA could provide hospitalized smokerswith a safe, non-nicotine alternative for short-term relief ofsmoking withdrawal symptoms," said Indu Muni, president andchief executive officer of the Cambridge, Mass., company(NASDAQ:DYGN).

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