Chiron, Berlex Laboratories, Bioject deal

Berlex and BJCT agreed to develop a needle-free system to deliver Betaseron (Interferon beta-1b) for subcutaneous injection. BJCT will exclusively manufacture the system. Based on exclusivity minimums, BJCT said it could realize more than $10 million in revenues over the first two years of the agreement.

Berlex plans to submit an application for the hand-held device to the FDA, and expects the agency to complete the review within a year. Berlex's goal is to make the needle-free system available to patients in 1997. CHIR manufactures Betaseron, which is approved in the U.S. to treat multiple sclerosis. ...