Centocor Inc. of Malvern, Pa., said it was given marketingapproval in Spain for its HA-1A/Centoxin to treat patientswith septic shock and with a presumptive diagnosis of gram-negative bacteremia, an infection caused when gram-negativebacteria enter the blood.

HA-1A will be distributed in Spain by a unit of SmithKlineBeecham plc. Eli Lilly & Co. will take over responsiblity fordistribution in other European countries during the balance ofthis year.

The product is a human monoclonal antibody directed againstendotoxin, which is released by gram-negative bacteria. Insevere infections endotoxin can trigger sepsis sydrome, whichoften leads to death.

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