Organogenesis Inc. said Wednesday that it has received a basicpatent covering technology for the manufacture of its collagen.

U.S. patent No. 5,106,949, issued on Tuesday, covers the sourceand method of extracting the collagen used in all of theCambridge, Mass., company's products. The company(AMEX:ORG) manufactures human tissues and organreplacements.

Organogenesis uses bovine collagen extracted using an acidbath. Because its method differs from that of other companiesdeveloping collagen-based products, the patent relates only toOrganogenesis' work, said spokeswoman Jennifer Pierce.

Organogenesis' Testskin product, which was launched in 1991,is a full-thickness living skin equivalent consisting of threelayers. It is used in studies of the absorption and permeabilityof pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, consumer goods and chemicals.

Graftskin is a full-thickness human skin equivalent in clinicaltrials for burn wounds.

Organogenesis shares rose $1 to $12.75. -- KB

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