Oncogene Science Inc. announced Monday that it has agreedwith Hoechst A.G. of Frankfurt, Germany to jointly developgene transcription-based drugs to treat certain inflammatorydiseases, viral infections and metabolic diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hoechst will have theexclusive worldwide rights to manufacture and marketpharmaceuticals resulting from the research program.Oncogene Science (NASDAQ:ONCS) of Uniondale, N.Y., willreceive royalties on product sales and will retain the rights toany diagnostic products that come out of the agreement.

Oncogene's stock was off 13 cents a share on Monday, closing at$5.63.

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