Alkermes Inc. announced Wednesday that it has received asecond U.S. patent, No. 5,182,107, for its carrier technology fortransporting drug molecules to the brain.

The claims in this patent include compositions and methods fordelivering nerve growth factor (NGF) to the brain by linking itto molecules which can penetrate the blood-brain barrier.

Alkermes' (NASDAQ:ALKS) first U.S. patent related to thistechnology was issued Oct. 13, 1992, and includes broad claimsto methods for using certain antibodies and antibody fragmentsto deliver drugs to the brain.

The Cambridge, Mass., company recently announced its intentto acquire Enzytech Inc., a Cambridge-based biotechnologycompany specializing in advanced drug delivery systems.

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