Chiron Offers Licensing Opportunity; Non-Exclusive Rights Available to Company's Hepatitis C Virus Patent Portfolio for HCV Protease Inhibitor Research.EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 2, 1997--Chiron Corporation (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :CHIR CHIR Chiricahua National Monument (US National Park Service) ) announced today that it will begin a program to grant non-exclusive licenses under the company's hepatitis C virus
abbr. hepatitis C virus HCV 1 Hepatitis C virus, see there 2. Human coronavirus. See Coronavirus. ) patent portfolio for HCV protease inhibitor protease inhibitor (prō`tē-ās'), any of a class of drugs that interfere with replication of the AIDS virus (HIV), by blocking an enzyme (protease) necessary in the late stages of its reproduction. research. This industry-wide, time-limited initiative is available to companies engaged in the research and development of therapeutics based on HCV protease inhibitors for the treatment of HCV infection in humans. Chiron has been actively involved in non-A, non-B hepatitis non-A, non-B hepatitis n. Abbr. NANB hepatitis Hepatitis that is caused by a virus that is antigenically different from hepatitis viruses A and B. research since the early 1980's, and is a recognized scientific leader in the field of hepatitis. As a result of Chiron's successful cloning of HCV, Chiron possesses an extensive HCV patent portfolio, and is engaged in numerous research and commercial activities which utilize Chiron's expertise in the HCV field. The development of HCV therapeutics utilizing protease inhibitors is an area of significant scientific interest involving numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. Companies with product development programs directed toward the identification and development of inhibitors for HCV NS3 protease protease /pro·te·ase/ (pro´te-as) endopeptidase. pro·te·ase n. Any of various enzymes, including the proteinases and peptidases, that catalyze the hydrolytic breakdown of proteins. may now obtain from Chiron licenses to practice under Chiron's patents as they relate to the use of HCV NS3 protease in such programs. "Chiron's decision to implement this licensing program reflects our belief in the strength and value of our HCV patent portfolio," stated Ed Penhoet, Ph.D., Chiron's president and chief executive officer. "HCV infection is a major public health concern and we believe Chiron's pioneering research should be available to those organizations who acknowledge and respect the company's patent position." Chiron Corporation, headquartered in Emeryville, California, is a science-driven, market-directed healthcare company that combines diagnostic, vaccine and therapeutic strategies for controlling disease. CONTACT: Chiron Corporation Dan Hunt, 510/923-2920 (Senior Counsel) Jim Knighton, 510/923-3252 (VP Investor Relations) |
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