ITC AGREES TO INVESTIGATE CENTOXIN IMPORTSThe U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) votedunanimously to investigate Centocor Inc.'s imports of itsCentoxin septic shock treatment, rival Xoma Corp. of Berkeley,Calif., said Tuesday.

Xoma previously sued Centocor of Malvern, Pa., alleginginfringement of a patent covering Xoma's E5 monoclonalantibody-based septic shock drug.

Xoma's stock (NASDAQ:XOMA) closed up 25 cents a share at$17.75. Centocor fell $1.25 to $47.50. (For more information onthe ITC and patent suits, keyword search Industry Library for122190XOMA.)

HPV DETECTION METHOD MAY BE INADEQUATE

Cetus Corp. scientists report in today's issue of the Journal ofthe American Medical Association that genital humanpapillomavirus (HPV) is more common among sexually activeyoung women than is generally believed and that currentdetection methods may be inadequate. The findings are basedon a recent study of university women.

NATURAL PRODUCT SCIENCES EXTENDS PFIZER CONTRACT

Natural Product Sciences Inc. of Salt Lake City extended for twoyears a contract with Pfizer Inc. to pursue potential humantherapeutics from natural product leads. The original three-year collaboration focused on spider venoms as sources ofnovel drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease and stroke-relatedbrain damage. Research was widened to such neurologicaldisorders as depression, dementia and anxiety.

MICROBICS BOOSTS EDUCATIONAL GRANT FUNDING

Microbics Corp. of Carlsbad, Calif., allocated $500,000 for its1991 Education Grants program, a $150,000 increase from theprior year. Scientists at academic and non-profit institutionsworking with bioreactivity determination are eligible. For moreinformation, contact Karen Harper at (619) 438-8282.

OSTEX NAMES PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Ostex International Inc. of Seattle named Dan Clemens productdevelopment manager. He has worked at Genetic Systems andAbbott Laboratories.

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