Immune Response Corp., Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc. and PasteurMerieux Connaught Group announced on Friday that they arediscussing formation of a joint venture to manufacture clinicaland commercial supplies of Immune Response's therapeuticHIV vaccine.

Shares of San Diego-based Immune Response (NASDAQ:IMNR)closed down 75 cents at $35.

Immunization Products Ltd., an existing joint venture betweenImmune Response and Rhone-Poulenc, is conducting PhaseII/III trials of the drug and anticipates filing for marketingapproval in 1993.

As part of the proposed manufacturing joint venture, Rhone-Poulenc intends to build a facility to produce supplies forcertain clinical studies of the drug. A Canadian facility ownedby Pasteur may be used to produce commercial supplies.

Immune Response and Pasteur also said they may renegotiatethe exclusive license under which Pasteur has been granteddevelopment and marketing rights in certain countries outsideNorth America. Certain of Pasteur's rights and obligationswould be transferred to a joint venture between ImmunizationProducts and Pasteur.

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