Subject: Merck to Continue Research Collaboration on HIV Drug
Date: Published: 3/5/93 (28 lines)
Source: Wall Street Journal. Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc.

    Business Brief -- MedImmune Inc.:
    Merck to Continue Research
    Collaboration on HIV Drug

    MedImmune Inc. said Merck & Co. has decided after further review
 to continue its research collaboration with MedImmune on a possible
 treatment for HIV infection.
    But the Gaithersburg, Md., biotechnology company said it agreed
 to modify the terms of its November 1991 agreement with the big
 pharmaceutical maker.  Under the revised agreement, Merck will
 continue to fund its own internal development of the treatment, MEDI
 488, but will defer funding further research by MedImmune on new
 antibodies.  Merck may resume funding MedImmune research if the
 treatment completes Phase I clinical trials, Medimmune said.
    MEDI 488 is a human monoclonal antibody in early stages of
 evaluation for its potential to prevent infection by HIV, the virus
 that causes AIDS.  As previously reported, MedImmune said Jan. 4 that
 Merck was reviewing its further involvement in the research because
 of unexpected research results from the treatment.

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