MERCK, BRISTOL-MYERS LICENSE AIDS DRUGS

Drug giants Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb said Monday they have separately licensed new AIDS drugs specifically for women. Both firms said they have granted to the International Partnership for Microbicides royalty-free deals to develop, produce and distribute its compound for use as microbicides in poor countries ravaged by the disease.

United Press International (http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/view.php?StoryID=20051031-124115-5799r)