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The following is a review of developments affecting health care in Canada

The information is updated the first week of every month - so ... make this a regular stop in your information gathering activities.

The following information has been compiled from publicly available sources, StratCom does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or the authenticity of the information and StratCom cannot be held liable for errors.

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Healthcare in Canada - February 1998

DiagnoCure Inc., Quebec City, has signed a licensing agreement with Seragen Inc., Boston, Mass, that covers fusion proteins composed of the "syringe" and "probe" portions of Seragen's fusion proteins. DiagnoCure plans to use this technology to fuse, among other things, various proprietary monoclonal antibodies to replace the "probe ". DiagnoCure plans to insert these new fusion proteins into the membrane of its nanoerythrosomes. Nanoerythrosomes, bound in this way to monoclonal antibodies, would then become highly selective nanovectors capable of transporting their therapeutic contents to targeted cancer cells without affecting healthy ones.

Biopool International Inc. has selected ESBE Scientific, Markham, ON, as the new distributor for Biopool immunohematology and hemostasis products in Canada. In December 1997, the company announced that it would close its Canadian subsidiary, Biopool Canada, by June 1998. ESBE has sales offices in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia and covers the territory with 15 sales representatives.

Select Therapeutics, Inc., Chestnut Hill, Mass has entered into a license and research agreement with the Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto and the University of Toronto Innovation Foundation which is expected to lead to improved interventions for cancer patients whose therapies include autologous stem cell transplantations. The license grants Select Therapeutics Inc. exclusive worldwide rights to use research, and manufacture products based on the research, in return for royalties and research support to the Ontario Cancer Institute. OCI has developed a method that uses shiga-like toxin 1 (SLT-1), a bacterial toxin, as an agent to selectively kill cancer cells in the patient's bone marrow without harming the essential marrow cells which allow regeneration of marrow's capacity for forming blood cells.

Biogen, Inc., Cambridge, Mass, is opening a Canadian office in Mississauga, ON, at the end of February 1998, which will house sales, marketing and customer service functions. Famous for its scientific discoveries that have led to advances in human health care, including hepatitis B vaccines and alpha interferon for certain cancers and hepatitis, Biogen is increasing its Canadian presence as it awaits Canadian approval of its drug for multiple sclerosis. Biogen has already demonstrated a commitment to investing in multiple sclerosis research in Canada. The Company is currently conducting clinical trials in multiple sclerosis at more than 60 sites throughout North America, including 8 in Canada. The Canadian sites are Camp Hill Medical Center (Halifax), Hospital Notre Dame (Montreal), Ottawa General Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital (Toronto), Calgary General Hospital, Vancouver Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre and the Montreal Neurological Institute.

The RCMP has launched a full-scale criminal investigation into events at the Canadian Red Cross Society which led thousands of Canadians to become infected with the AIDS virus and hepatitis in the early 1980s. A judicial inquiry concluded last year that a significant number of the infections could have been prevented, and faulted various blood agencies and officials. The Canadian Red Cross decided to abandon its longtime role of overseeing Canada's blood-supply system. Federal and provincial officials are at work on a replacement system.

Micrologix Biotech Inc., Vancouver, BC and the Protein Engineering Network Centres of Excellence (PENCE) have signed a four-year agreement to co-develop novel antibiotics based on proprietary technology discovered at the University of Alberta. Micrologix and PENCE will collaborate on research directed at developing new diagnostics and therapeutics based on a unique family of natural antimicrobial peptides. Approximately $1.8 million will be invested in the program, of which 50% will be contributed by Micrologix.

Canadian Medical Laboratories Limited (CML), Mississauga, ON has opened a bioanalytical laboratory and Phase I Site to be used by its wholly owned subsidiary, Pharma Medica Research Inc. (PMRI). PMRI will be fully operational as of March 1, 1998 and will be operated under its President and Chief Operating Officer, Ian W. French, and has already accumulated a clinical and analytical backlog in excess of $1.5 million and expects to build a backlog in excess of $8 million within six months. In addition, CML has formed a U.S. based site management organization (SMO) that is in the process of acquiring research sites in the U.S. SMOs organize and manage multi-site clinical investigations on behalf of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as part of the drug approval process.

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* Healthcare in Canada - January 1998
* Healthcare in Canada - July 1997
* Healthcare in Canada - June 1997
* Healthcare in Canada - May 1997
* Healthcare in Canada - April 1997
* Healthcare in Canada - March 1997
* Healthcare in Canada - February 1997
* Healthcare in Canada - January 1997
* Healthcare in Canada - December 1996
* Healthcare in Canada - November 1996
* Healthcare in Canada - October 1996
* Healthcare in Canada - September 1996
* Healthcare in Canada - August 1996
* Healthcare in Canada - July 1996
* Healthcare in Canada - June 1996

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