BOULDER, Colo.--Aurora Biosciences of San Diego has gained access to the gene expression profiling technology for which Xenometrix here received a European patent in January. Xenometrix's non-exclusive license covers gene expression profiling utilizing methods other than high-density oligonucleotide microarrays.

Aurora also announced that Paul England has been promoted from vice-president discovery operations to senior vice-president research. England joined Aurora in February after 13 years in pharmaceutical research at SmithKline Beecham.