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www.fdanews.com/articles/75466-amrad-gets-u-s-patent-for-asthma-medicine

AMRAD GETS U.S. PATENT FOR ASTHMA MEDICINE

August 17, 2005

Australian drug manufacturer Amrad has received a U.S. patent for therapeutic antibodies used to treat asthma and other respiratory diseases. The Melbourne-based biotech company signed a joint collaboration agreement with pharmaceutical Merck at $112 million, excluding royalties on product sales.

Amrad has been working with Merck for two years. Both companies have been working to develop drugs that would diminish the effects of the IL-13 receptor on the lung.