Applied Immune Sciences Inc. will begin within two weeksclinical tests of its stem cell separation method for bonemarrow transplants in breast cancer, the company saidThursday.

The Menlo Park, Calif., company (NASDAQ:AISX) said the trialswill be conducted under an investigational device exemption,which it believes will speed approval for its CELLectortechnology.

The trials will use the technology to harvest stem cellsidentified by their CD34 surface markers from bone marrow ofpatients prior to chemotherapy and radiation. The selectionavoids residual tumor cells and concentrates the stem cells,which are able to more quickly reconstitute the patients' bloodand immune systems after their bone marrow is reinfused.

The company said it would begin trials of the technology inHodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the United Statesand the United Kingdom later this year.

The stock gained $1.25 to $25.25 on Thursday. -- RF

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