Biotech companies resolve chicken cloning lawsuit

ATHENS - Three biotechnology companies have resolved a trade-theft dispute that involved a race to clone the first chicken and reap the lucrative profits from it. <br> <br> Athens-based AviGenics, the Roslin Institute of Edinburgh, Scotland, and its partner firm, Florida-based Viragen agreed Monday to dismiss all lawsuits filed in the case, which involved a claim that one of Roslin&#39;s scientists stole AviGenics&#39; ideas on chicken cloning. <br> <br> Ed Tolley, an attorney for AviGenics, said the company got assurances that scientists from the other two companies won&#39;t use AviGenics&#39; business plan or the patented gene transfer invention it developed. <br> <br> AviGenics was founded in 1996 by University of Georgia geneticist Bob Ivarie. The lawsuit claimed that Roslin scientist Helen Sang ``misappropriated&#39;&#39; AviGenics&#39; research. <br> <br> Sang served on AviGenics&#39; scientific board for three years but left in 2000, just before Roslin and Viragen began their joint venture. Sang, a pioneer in avian genetic research, has said she learned nothing of scientific value during her time on the board. <br> <br> ``This is a huge victory for Roslin, Viragen and Dr. Helen Sang,&#39;&#39; said Viragen attorney Jim Gale. ``This completely exonerates Dr. Sang, and (refutes) the spurious claims that were made against her. They lost at every twist and turn.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> AviGenics also claimed victory. <br> <br> ``The resolution for AviGenics is very satisfactory,&#39;&#39; Trolley said, adding that it provides the firm ``verification that its science is not being used and ... it allows us to go back to our scientific endeavors.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Roslin and Viragen also agreed to drop a federal suit filed in California accusing AviGenics of patent infringement.