Tests for AIDS, Cancer Boost Cel-Sci's Stock
Shares of Cel-Sci Corp. of Alexandria hit $5 for the first time since March last week after the company got a patent for its AIDS diagnosis system and reported positive results from an early test of a prostate cancer treatment.</br></br>Traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol HIV, Cel-Sci stock ended the week at $4.62 1/2 a share, up 37 percent from $3.37 1/2 a week ago.</br></br>The AIDS test kit for which a patent was granted is used to measure antibodies to the AIDS virus and is part of a research program seeking a vaccine against the disease.</br></br>Working on other aspects of the body's immune system, Cel-Sci said its drug showed promise in treating prostate cancer patients who are not responding to other therapies.</br></br>The Washington Post Bloomberg Index of stocks in the District, Maryland and Virginia ended the week at a new high of 142.86. The Index was up 2.2 points for the week and now has gained 25.7 percent so far this year.