61.   It grew into a leading chemical company and spent most of the century acquiring a diverse collection of companies.

62.   Isis has emerged as the leading anti-sense company because it has a strong patent position and multiple drugs in clinical trials.

63.   It also owns a minority stake in Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc., the leading antisense company.

64.   It would also enable them to become a leading company in a market that will probably see a multiplicity of mergers, Richard added.

65.   Known in the past mostly as the leading maker of computer workstations, the Mountain View company has quickly gained a reputation as a leading Internet company as well.

66.   Last fall, Amazon acquired two leading Internet companies and entered the European e-market by opening sites in the United Kingdom and Germany.

67.   Leading British companies including Reuters Holdings Plc, and Imperial Chemical Industries Plc have in the past week warned over prospects for the coming year.

68.   Leading German companies fear a backlash against their businesses in the United States if the talks break down.

69.   Leading companies reporting later this week include British Telecommunications Plc, Imperial Chemical Industries Plc, B.A.T Industries Plc and LLoyds Bank Plc.

70.   Leading companies reporting later this week include BT, Imperial Chemical Industries Plc, B.A.T Industries Plc and LLoyds Bank Plc.