Applied Immune Sciences Inc. and Caremark Inc., an affiliate ofBaxter Healthcare Corp., announced on Wednesday a jointventure to develop and operate cell therapy centers fortreatment of HIV-positive and AIDS patients.

The first AIS/Caremark Cell Therapy center will open in SanFrancisco in the first half of 1992, said AIS spokesman JimSmith. The center will conduct Phase II trials of AIS'sCELLector-AIDS ex vivo cell therapy. Additional trials will beconducted in other locations.

The technology is used to harvest immune system cells orproteins from the patient and apply biological treatmentoutside the body. In Phase I tests, positive responses wererecorded without toxicity in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma,gastrointestinal disease and Epstein-Barr infections.

Caremark will provide an undisclosed amount of capital tolaunch the centers, and AIS (NASDAQ:AISX) will provide theCELLector therapy, Smith said. Other financial terms were notdisclosed.

Caremark, located in Lincolnshire, Ill., operates about 175treatment centers for patients with life-threatening diseases,psychiatric conditions and problem pregnancies.

AIS stock picked up 38 cents to close at $22.50 on Wednesday.-- Steve Usdin

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