Ciba-Geigy Corp. said Thursday that a federal judge in Newark,N.J., has moved up to Dec. 20 from Jan. 28 a hearing on amotion by Elan Corp. for a preliminary injunction against salesof Ciba-Geigy's transdermal nicotine patch.

A motion by Ciba-Geigy for a preliminary injunction againstElan's patch had also been scheduled for Jan. 28, but a Ciba-Geigy spokeswoman said the company was not sure it wouldseek the injunction. Elan's patch has not received marketingapproval.

A federal judge in San Francisco has not yet ruled on aninjunction sought by Elan in its suit to block Alza Corp.'sapproved patch.

Alza (AMEX:AZA) picked up $1.25 to close at $87.25 onThursday.

(c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.