Subject: Biotech Research Says Du Pont Help Is Key To Breaking Even in '85
Date: Published: 5/7/85 57 lines
Source:  Wall Street Journal.  Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc. 

   Biotech Research Says
   Du Pont Help Is Key
   To Breaking Even in '85

   ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Biotech Research Laboratories Inc. said
it may break even this year with marketing and financial
support from Du Pont Co. 
   "Our goal in 1985, if at all possible, is to achieve a
break-even situation," said Thomas M. Li, president and chief
executive officer.  In 1984, Biotech had a loss of $1.1
million on sales of $3 million.
   Under agreements signed last year, Du Pont will market
Biotech's medical products world-wide and will invest $4.5
million for a 6.5% stake in Biotech.  The agreements also
provide for Du Pont to commit $500,000 to support Biotech's
research in 1985.  Wilmington, Del.-based Du Pont has
interests in chemicals, plastics, fibers and energy.
   The biggest initial benefit from the agreements could
begin at the middle of this year, when Du Pont expects to get
regulatory approval of a Biotech test to detect the virus
suspected of causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or
AIDS. Biotech "could have a minimum of $2 million sales for
the product in 1985, and 1986 should be considerably higher,"
Mr. Li said.
   The largest initial benefit from the agreements could
begin at the middle of this year, when Du Pont expects to get
regulatory approval of a Biotech test that detects the
presence of the AIDS antibody.  Presence of that antibody
indicates that a person has been exposed to the virus
suspected of causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome, but
doesn't necessarily mean the person has or will have the
disease.
   Biotech "could have a minimum of $2 million sales for the
product in 1985, and 1986 should be considerably higher," Mr. 
Li said.  Abbott Laboratories of North Chicago, Ill., and
Electro-Nucleonics Inc. of Fairfield, N. J., already are
marketing AIDS antibody tests, and other companies are
developing similar tests.
   Biotech officials believe marketing the AIDS test could be
helped by a companion test for hepatitis.  "It will help a
lot, because from a blood laboratory's perspective (the two
types of tests) go side by side," said Robert C. Y. Ting,
Biotech vice president and scientific director.  A Du Pont
spokesman confirmed that the company is considering
development of a hepatitis test.
   Du Pont also will market other Biotech diagnostic tests,
including one developed last year to detect mononucleosis.

(This article is made available here by Dow Jones Co. for the 
personal and non-commercial use of callers to this bbs, in the 
hope that it will be of some help to those who are suffering 
from the disease and others who are seeking to help them.)