Synaptic Pharmaceutical Corporation has filed an amended suit in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against Euroscreen S.A., a Belgian corporation. The suit alleges that Euroscreen has infringed numerous issued U.S. patents owned by Synaptic, which relate to cloned human receptors and their use in binding assays. The suit is a part of an already pending law suit brought by Synaptic against MDS Panlabs Inc and its subsidiary Panlabs Taiwan Ltd.

Synaptic has pioneered the development of technology involving cloned human receptors and the use of such technology for targeted drug design. The amended suit alleges that Euroscreen has been importing, selling, and offering to sell products of Synaptic's patented binding assay processes to pharmaceutical companies and others in the United States and particularly in New Jersey, and that Euroscreen has conspired with MDS Panlabs and Panlabs Taiwan to infringe Synaptic's patents.

Kathleen P. Mullinix, chairman, president and chief executive officer, stated, "Synaptic has invested substantial sums in developing and patenting its cloned human receptor technology. Synaptic cannot ignore the infringement of its patent rights by Euroscreen, MDS Panlabs and Panlabs Taiwan, who have neither made the discoveries nor obtained the patents. Synaptic is committed to stopping such infringing activities."

In the suit, Synaptic seeks an injunction against the infringing activities of Euroscreen, MDS Panlabs and Panlabs Taiwan, an award of damages for Synaptic's lost profits, the destruction of data obtained by infringement of its patents, and other relief.