Somatix Therapy Corp. has obtained options for exclusiveworldwide licenses to two U.S. patents on catheters owned byTrimedyne Inc.

With the catheters, insulin-producing cells can be insertedinto the abdomens of diabetics and tested to see if theyprovide sufficient insulin to eliminate the need for injections.

Somatix (NASDAQ:SOMA) is conducting preliminary animalstudies focused on implanting islet cells into the abdomens ofanimals. However, the Alameda, Calif., company is focused ongene therapy and is considering options for its Type 1 diabetesprogram, such as creating a subsidiary or spinning off theprogram group.

Trimedyne (NASDAQ:TMED) of Irvine, Calif., said Somatix paidit a small cash fee and will pay a small additional fee androyalties if Somatix exercises the options.

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