OTHER NEWS - Sept. 5, 1991

FDA Panel Seeks More Time for Drug Studies: A panel of experts concluded that a genetically engineered drug designed to treat an often-fatal blood infection is safe, but declined to recommend approval for sale without more research. The panel, made up of outside experts who advise the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, wants more time to study the effectiveness of a drug called Centoxin developed by Centocor Inc., of Malvern, Pa. Still, the panel’s decision appeared to give Centocor an edge over Xoma Inc. of Berkeley, the maker of a rival drug called E-5 that officials said also requires further study.