SALK VACCINE COMPANY SELLS FOREIGN RIGHTS

In an agreement announced on February 28, two major medical research institutions in France, the Institut Merieux and its subsidiary Pasteur Vaccins, have jointly purchased rights to market the Salk HIV vaccine outside of North America. (The U. S. company developing the treatment, The Immune Response Corporation of San Diego, CA, has arranged separate North American marketing with Rorer Group, Inc.)

Unlike most vaccines, the Salk HIV vaccine is intended to be used after persons are already infected. This treatment, called AIDS Immunotherapeutic, is currently in clinical trials in the United States.

Despite the reputation of Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the first polio vaccine, his HIV work has been slow to receive support in the U. S. AIDS research establishment.

Institut Merieux is the leading marketer of vaccines in the world.