REPORT ON ALPHA INTERFERON AND TUMOR GROWTHResearchers from the University of Toronto reported in the Jan.11 edition of Science progress in understanding the subcellularsignaling events that enable alpha interferon to inhibit celldivision and, therefore, tumor growth. They found that alphainterferon induced production of an enzyme that metabolizesarachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid metabolites are thought tobe important subcellular messengers.

CENTOCOR GETS SINGLE 'B' RATING FROM S&P

In its first rating from Standard & Poor's, Centocor Inc.'soffering of $100 million in convertible subordinated notes due2001 received a single "B" rating.

"We're very pleased with that rating, which is quite high for acompany at our stage of development," said Charles Cabot, aCentocor spokesman. S&P said that resolving the uncertaintyregarding the timing of marketing approval of Centocor'sCentoxin septic shock therapeutic and pending patent litigationagainst Xoma Corp. of Berkeley, Calif., would allow anupgrading of the rating.

CANCER INSTITUTE TO SCREEN ROBERTS DRUGS

Roberts Pharmaceutical Corp. of Eatontown, N..J., reported thisweek that it entered into an agreement with the NationalCancer Institute to screen Roberts new drugs for anti-cancerand anti-AIDS therapeutic potential. Roberts (NASDAQ:RPCX)will retain all product rights and will own any and all patentsemanating from the research partnership.

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