Sandoz to Acquire Genetic Therapy

BASLE, Switzerland--Sandoz Ltd. has entered into a merger agreementwith Genetic Therapy, Inc (Gaithersburg, Md) with a cash tenderoffer valued at $295 million. The acquisition "puts Sandozat the forefront of gene therapy technology," said DanielVasella, MD, CEO of Sandoz Pharma.

In other news, Genetic Therapy announced the start of a gene therapytrial in multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed after allogeneicBMT. Investigators from the University of Arkansas and GeneticTherapy will perform an ex vivo transfer of the thymidine kinasegene into the original marrow donor's T cells, making these cellssusceptible to destruction by ganciclovir (Cytovene). These cellswill then be infused into the patient.

Because data indicate that a graft vs myeloma effect can precedegraft vs host disease (GVHD), 3 weeks after infusion of the donorT cells, ganci-clovir will be administered to destroy the T cellsthat cause GVHD. Patients who do not achieve a complete remissionwill receive another infusion of donor T cells, followed by ganciclovironly if significant GVHD develops.