	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 uire up to pct of the unit s equity in exchange for the uisition 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 reuter 
