Schering extends deal with NeXstar

German contrast agent firm Schering has extended its ongoing R&Dcollaboration with pharmaceutical developer NeXstar of Boulder,CO, for the development of in vivo imaging agents using NeXstar'sSelex combinatorial chemistry process. Schering increased itsresearch payments to NeXstar to $2.4 million a year from $1 milliona year as part of the deal.

Under the collaboration, NeXstar is using the Selex processto develop aptamers, which are short stretches of modified DNAor RNA that can bind to diagnostic targets in the body. Thesetargets can be identified by imaging modalities, and Scheringhas specified several cardiac and oncology applications it isinterested in pursuing.