ADVANCED TOBACCO &lt;ATPI> MERGER TALKS END

  Advanced Tobacco Products Inc
  said it has ended talks on being acquired by Sterling Drug Inc
  &lt;STY> but has resumed acquisition talks with other parties.
      The company had previously announced that a "major U.S.
  based company" that it did not identify was evaluating its
  nicotine technology.
      Advanced said Sterling's board has decided not to enter the
  nicotine product market.
      It said it received a 200,000 dlr payment to deal
  exclusively with Sterling through March Six.
      Advanced said it had suspended merger talks with other
  parties as a result of the exclusivity agreement.
  

