Cephalon Inc. has received a notice of allowance from thePatent and Trademark Office on a patent application for theuse of IGF-1 to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

West Chester, Pa.-based Cephalon is developing insulin-likegrowth factor under the name Myotrophin to treat ALS, alsoknown as Lou Gehrig's disease. The disease, a progressivenervous system disorder, affects about 30,000 people in theUnited States and has no known cause or cure.

Preclinical studies indicate that Myotrophin enhances thesurvival and/or functioning of spinal cord motor neurons. IGF-1is a protein normally found in muscle.

The company anticipates filing in the second quarter of 1992an investigational new drug application to begin clinical trialson Myotrophin.

Spokeswoman Nicole Vitullo said the use patent is animportant one for Cephalon, ensuring unimpeded developmentof IGF-1 to treat ALS. No one can get composition of matterpatents on IGF-1 because the protein has been known for solong, she said.

Cephalon stock (NASDAQ:CEPH) closed up 50 cents on Friday at$18. -- Karen Bernstein

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