Bio-Technology General Corp. said Tuesday that its Eskatroperecombinant human growth hormone for treatment of shortstature has received preliminary marketing approval in Italy.Eskatrope has received similar approvals in the Netherlandsand Spain and marketing approvals in Denmark andLuxembourg. SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, BTGC'slicensee, expects to launch sales next year after receivingpricing approvals. Shares of New York-based BTGC(NASDAQ:BTGC) closed down 38 cents at $8.

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