Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., reached anagreement with Ciba-Geigy Ltd. that resolves the question ofinterference in a U.S. patent concerning Protease Nexin-1 (PN-1), an inhibitor of the proteases involved in connective tissuedegeneration and inflammation.

Incyte is developing PN-1 as a therapeutic for inflammatoryand degenerative disorders.

The patent interference, which was declared in July 1991,concerned pending applications covering the PN-1 cDNA andrecombinant methods of production.

Ciba-Geigy agreed to assign its worldwide DNA patent rightsand related know-how to Incyte in exchange for a royalty onproduct sales.

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