Quidel Corp. said Thursday that it has signed cross-licensingagreements with Becton Dickinson and Co. for twoimmunoassay technologies. Terms weren't disclosed.

The companies exchanged licenses to San Diego-based Quidel'sspecimen delivery technology for immunoassays (U.S. patentNo. 4,818,677) and Becton Dickinson's particulate detectortechnology for immunoassays (U.S. patent No. 4,703,017).

Quidel's technology is used to focus samples used in diagnosticflow-through tests. Becton Dickinson's patent covers particlesthat form an instantaneous color change following an antibody-antigen reaction. Quidel is using the technology in its Conceiveovulation test, which received FDA marketing approval lastweek.

Quidel shares (NASDAQ:QDEL) rose 6 cents to $6.50.

The companies have a long-standing relationship. Quidel hasmanufactured certain Becton Dickinson tests since 1985, saidQuidel spokesman Mark Francois.

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