Cell Genesys Inc. said Tuesday that it has signed a collaborativeagreement with MedImmune Inc. through which Cell Genesyshopes to develop cytotoxic T cell transplant products to treatHIV infection.

The Foster City, Calif., company received an exclusiveworldwide license to use MedImmune's portfolio of anti-HIVantibodies. MedImmune will receive undisclosed licensing fees,milestone payments and royalties.

Cell Genesys is developing a universal T cell transplant productto target HIV-infected cells that express a portion of the virus.The company will modify human T cells by adding antibodygene sequences that give the T cells the ability to bind toinfected cells. The process also will eliminate the markers onthe T cells' surfaces that would cause them to be rejected.

The company hopes to start clinical trials in 1993.

Cell Genesys, which ended 1991 with about $10 million in cash,in April postponed its proposed initial public offering. Thecompany was hoping to sell 3 million shares at $11 to $13 pershare.

MedImmune (NASDAQ:MEDI) has a $13 million collaborationwith Merck & Co. Inc. to develop a MAb-basedimmunotherapeutic to treat AIDS. Shares of the Gaithersburg,Md., company rose $1.25 to $29.25. -- KB

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