Icos Corp. said Thursday it has signed a collaborativeagreement with the University of Utah to develop products thatcan be used as anti-inflammatories against asthma, multiplesclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Chelsea Sloman, investor relations coordinator for Icos, said thecompany would not disclose the financial terms or length of theagreement. The Seattle company has proven to have a Midastouch in tapping funding sources, including backing fromMicrosoft billionaire Bill Gates.

Under the agreement, Icos will have exclusive rights to thetechnology, but the university may receive future royalties oncertain products. The principal investigators will receivelaboratory support. Icos would not disclose specifics.

University of Utah medical doctors Stephen Prescott, ThomasMcIntyre and Guy Zimmerman will serve as the principalinvestigators of the research.

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