QUEST <QBIO> SIGNS PACT WITH ALZA <AZA> Quest Biotechnology Inc said its Quest Blood Substitute Inc subsidiary executed an agreement with Alza Corp <AZA> which will make Alza a preferred shareholder of its subsidiary. Quest said the agreement also offers Alza the right to acquire up to 25 pct of the unit's equity in exchange for the acquisition of patent rights to Alza technology in an area where Quest has an interest. Quest also said its signed a merger agreement with <Hunt Research Corp> and its affiliate <ICAS Corp>. Quest said it expects to complete the merger within the next several weeks.