Genzyme Corp. of Cambridge, Mass., has been issued U.S. patentNo. 5,140,016, the fourth to center on the company's family ofHA-based proteins in development and the second issued forHAL-C coating solution.

In announcing the patent Monday, the company said itstrengthened its proprietary position with its hyaluronic acid-based product for the prevention of post-surgical adhesions.The new patent extends the coverage of its predecessor whileaddressing the use of molecular complexes of hyaluronic acid.

The coating, derived from a naturally occurring polysaccharideused on exposed tissue before surgery, helps reduce theincidence, severity and extent of adhesion formation.

The patent is based on work supported by Genzyme andperformed by researchers at the University of Florida.

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