Subject: Genelabs Says GLQ223 Appears Safe for Patients
Date: Published: 12/17/91 (33 lines)
Source: Wall Street Journal. Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc.

    Technology Brief -- Genelabs Technologies Inc.:
    Firm Says Its AIDS Drug
    Appears Safe for Patients

    Genelabs Technologies Inc., Redwood City, Calif., said its
 anti-AIDS drug known as GLQ223 so far appears to be safe
 enough to give to patients and active in the immune system.
    The drug, formerly known as "compound Q," was originally
 extracted from the root of the Chinese cucumber.  An earlier
 crude form of it was the subject of a controversial
 unofficial study that left open questions about possible
 neurological damage, and one questionable death, among
 patients who took it.
    Now Genelabs, which has been developing the active
 ingredient in a pure synthesized form, has released the
 results of a safety trial conducted with scientists at the
 University of California at San Francisco.  Genelabs said 21
 patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome or
 AIDS-related complex received four weekly infusions of GLQ223
 and experienced minor side effects such as muscle pain,
 headache and fever that were controlled with nonprescription
 drugs.  The company said such side effects diminished over
 time.
    Genelabs stock rose $1.25 a share to close at $8.875 in
 national over-the-counter trading yesterday.

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