Subject: Bio-Technology's Product Status
Date: Published: 2/17/93 (23 lines)
Source: Wall Street Journal. Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc.

    Bio-Technology's Product Status

    NEW YORK -- Bio-Technology General Corp. said its recombinant
 human growth hormone was given orphan drug designation by the Food
 and Drug Administration for the treatment of cachexia, or wasting
 syndrome, in people with AIDS.  
    Bio-Technology said its pilot clinical studies show the hormone
 safely and effectively promotes protein synthesis and reverses
 wasting.  Cachexia causes severe weight loss, which damages the
 immune system, leaving AIDS patients more susceptible to often-fatal
 opportunistic diseases.
    Orphan drug designation positions the company to eventually seek
 orphan drug status, which would give Bio-Technology exclusive
 marketing rights for the treatment for seven years.

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