In 2000 the US biotechnology company AviGenics formed an agreement with Roslin Institute to collaborate on a project to create transgenic chickens through the process of nuclear transfer which could produce new cancer drugs in their eggs. The joint research team was led by Helen Sang of Roslin Institute. Between 1996 and 1999 Sang had served on the Scientific Advisory Board of AviGenics Inc. From mid-1999 to late 2000, Roslin Institute was engaged in prospective contract negotiations with AviGenics regarding a potential avian transgenesis programme of research, but later called off these negotiations. Instead, Roslin entered into a written agreement with Viragen Inc. AviGenics expressed concerns of a possible violation by Sang and Roslin of their agreements with AviGenics based upon Roslin's collaboration with Viragen. In March 2001, AviGenics launched a civil action against the Roslin Institute, Helen Sang and Viragen seeking declaratory relief and claiming tortious interference by Viragen. The court proceedings were conducted in the Superior Court of Athens, Clarke County in the state of Georgia, USA. The case was settled in favour of Viragen in July 2002.