ORANGE COUNTY

Biomedical Firm to Develop Muscle Fatigue Test: Biomerica Inc. said it has signed a contract with a Japanese clinical laboratory, SRL Inc., to develop diagnostic tests to assess muscular fatigue and weakness. SRL will fund development and own distribution rights to the technology in Japan, with Newport Beach-based Biomerica retaining marketing rights elsewhere. The test will measure enzymes in the blood that indicate muscle damage, said Biomerica president Joseph Irani. Financial details were not disclosed. Biomerica, whose stock is traded over the counter, had 1990 sales of $8 million, Irani said.