coup with core company Boehringer Mannheim-Therapeutics, collaborating with a New Jersey company in the search for natural cures for a variety of cancers.

The firm is working with PharmaGenics Inc. in screening for novel drugs that restore the normal function of p53 -- a tumour suppressor gene which appears to play a pivotal role in preventing the uncontrolled growth of cancers.

The companies will utilise techniques developed by PharmaGenics to screen Boehringer Mannheim's library of compounds and bioactive substances from natural sources, in an effort to discover drugs that will potentially address a wide range of cancers.

In 1993, the p53 protein was chosen by Science magazine as "molecule of the year'' because it is seen as a significant step toward future possibilities for prevention and cure of cancer. It is p53 that is often lost in a large number of cancers.

Dr. Michael I. Sherman, president and CEO of PharmaGenics said, "Anti-cancer drugs that restore the function of tumour suppressor genes could lead to treatment regimens that are more potent and safer than those currently available.'' Dr. Guenter Schumacher, vice president cell biology of Boehringer Mannheim said that the collaboration will be a successful way of new drug development in the future.

PharmaGenics is a privately-held biotechnology company from Allendale, New Jersey, engaged in the discovery and development of anti-cancer agents based upon tumour suppressor genes and other cancer-related genes.