Magainin Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that it has received apatent for the composition and use of the first antibioticisolated from within an animal's throat.

The anti-microbial peptide, separated from tissue in a cow'strachea and purified, might play a role in defending therespiratory tract from germs.

The Plymouth Meeting, Pa., company (NASDAQ:MAGN) has filedmore than 40 related host-defense type patents, of which sixhave issued. The current patent, No. 5202420, "reinforcesMagainin's leadership position in the discovery of new anti-infectives from the host defense system of animals," said JayMoorin, president and chief executive officer.

The company has an exclusive worldwide license for rights tothe patent, which was issued to Michael Zasloff, executive vicepresident of Magainin and president of the Magainin ResearchInstitute, and his collaborators. -- Nancy Garcia

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