Immunogen Inc. (NASDAQ:IMGN) of Cambridge, Mass., onThursday said it has started European clinical trials of itsOncolysin B immunoconjugate product for the treatment of B-cell leukemia and lymphoma.

Oncolysin B is the anti-B4 monoclonal antibody linked toblocked ricin, Immunogen's proprietary form of the ricin planttoxin. B4 is a cell-surface marker formed on B cells.Immunogen's blocking technology prevents indiscriminatebinding of the toxin to all cells.

Roussel Uclaf, a Paris-based pharmaceutical company, isconducting the trials and will seek regulatory approvals inexchange for exclusive European marketing rights. Under a1990 agreement, Roussel has paid a $2.1 million initial licensefee and may pay up to $3 million more in milestone payments,as well as sales royalties.

Oncolysin B is in Phase II trials in the United States.

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