Ciba/Sandoz will urge non-exclusive licenses for Viagene gene therapy patents -- EC merger clearance.
Executive Summary
CIBA/SANDOZ TO SUPPORT NON-EXCLUSIVE LICENSING OF VIAGENE PATENTS relating to brain cancer gene therapy as part of the European Commission's July 17 approval of the merger of Ciba and Sandoz to form Novartis. Ciba and Sandoz "will use their influence as a shareholder of Chiron to support the granting of non-exclusive licenses under certain gene therapy patents of Viagene," the companies stated. Ciba holds a 49% stake in Chiron, which acquired Viagene in 1995.