FARMINGDALE, NY, April 21, 2004 -- Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ), a leading biotechnology company, announced today that its subsidiary, Enzo Therapeutics, Inc. has entered into two agreements with the University of Connecticut Health Center, at Farmington, CT, to license and cooperatively develop novel therapeutics for the stimulation and enhancement of bone formation. The products emanating from this technology could provide therapy for bone disorders, including bone loss, fractures, abnormalities, diseases and other applications.
This technology relates to the modulation of signaling pathways in cell development and differentiation by signaling proteins and small molecular compounds or drugs. These proteins and drugs have been shown to act in both osteoblasts (the primitive bone forming cells) in their pathway to mature bone cells and in the primitive cells of the hematopoeitic system on their path to produce mature blood cells. “We believe that this technology could be a promising means of modulating cell development, cell differentiation and cell renewal pathways, including those of bone and hematopoeitic cells,” said Dean L. Engelhardt, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Enzo.
Therapeutic products developed from this technology could also be used for the renewal and proliferation of cells in vivo and in vitro, and extended to encompass such applications as bone marrow transplantation, gene therapy, immune cell enrichment and anemia. The products could target a wide market. Many individuals suffer bone-related injury or illness at some point in their lives, including bone fractures and osteoporosis. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million people, 80% of whom are women, have osteoporosis, and another 34 million are at risk of developing bone disease and related fractures.
The research was begun at the University of Connecticut by Dianqing (Dan) Wu, Ph.D., a Professor in the Department of Genetics & Developmental biology, as an outgrowth of his work in understanding the molecular basis and function of signal transduction pathways. Under the agreement, Enzo Therapeutics holds an exclusive license for the technology and is a co-inventor along with scientists at the University.
“Based on extensive research, including the development of a novel animal model system that lends itself to the direct assessment of the toxicity and efficacy of the compounds, we believe that our effort can now be directed towards preclinical studies,” continued Dr. Engelhardt. “The collaborative effort between Enzo and the University of Connecticut represents the Company’s endeavor into a very exciting and promising new therapeutic modality and is a strong addition to our current gene regulation and immune regulation therapeutic platforms.”
“We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Enzo Biochem on this important project,” said Dr. Wu. “Our studies suggest that this technology may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for treating osteoporosis and similar bone disorders, and we are pleased that Enzo has agreed to work with us in developing its applications.”
A paper on the subject is expected to be presented at a scientific conference next month.
About Enzo
Enzo Biochem is engaged in the research, development and manufacture of innovative health care products based on molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques, and in providing diagnostic services to the medical community. The Company’s proprietary labeling and detection products for gene sequencing and genetic analysis, with approximately 200 patents worldwide, are sold to the life sciences market throughout the world. The Company’s therapeutic division is in various stages of clinical evaluation of its proprietary gene medicine for HIV-1 infection and its proprietary immune regulation medicines for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection and for Crohn’s disease. The Company also holds a patent covering a method of materials for correcting point mutations or small insertions or deletions of genetic material that would allow for editing and correcting certain abnormalities in genes. For more information visit our website www.enzo.com.
About the University of Connecticut Health Center
The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group, UConn Health Partners and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service.
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may be considered “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. The company disclaims any obligations to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.
This technology relates to the modulation of signaling pathways in cell development and differentiation by signaling proteins and small molecular compounds or drugs. These proteins and drugs have been shown to act in both osteoblasts (the primitive bone forming cells) in their pathway to mature bone cells and in the primitive cells of the hematopoeitic system on their path to produce mature blood cells. “We believe that this technology could be a promising means of modulating cell development, cell differentiation and cell renewal pathways, including those of bone and hematopoeitic cells,” said Dean L. Engelhardt, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Enzo.
Therapeutic products developed from this technology could also be used for the renewal and proliferation of cells in vivo and in vitro, and extended to encompass such applications as bone marrow transplantation, gene therapy, immune cell enrichment and anemia. The products could target a wide market. Many individuals suffer bone-related injury or illness at some point in their lives, including bone fractures and osteoporosis. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million people, 80% of whom are women, have osteoporosis, and another 34 million are at risk of developing bone disease and related fractures.
The research was begun at the University of Connecticut by Dianqing (Dan) Wu, Ph.D., a Professor in the Department of Genetics & Developmental biology, as an outgrowth of his work in understanding the molecular basis and function of signal transduction pathways. Under the agreement, Enzo Therapeutics holds an exclusive license for the technology and is a co-inventor along with scientists at the University.
“Based on extensive research, including the development of a novel animal model system that lends itself to the direct assessment of the toxicity and efficacy of the compounds, we believe that our effort can now be directed towards preclinical studies,” continued Dr. Engelhardt. “The collaborative effort between Enzo and the University of Connecticut represents the Company’s endeavor into a very exciting and promising new therapeutic modality and is a strong addition to our current gene regulation and immune regulation therapeutic platforms.”
“We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Enzo Biochem on this important project,” said Dr. Wu. “Our studies suggest that this technology may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for treating osteoporosis and similar bone disorders, and we are pleased that Enzo has agreed to work with us in developing its applications.”
A paper on the subject is expected to be presented at a scientific conference next month.
About Enzo
Enzo Biochem is engaged in the research, development and manufacture of innovative health care products based on molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques, and in providing diagnostic services to the medical community. The Company’s proprietary labeling and detection products for gene sequencing and genetic analysis, with approximately 200 patents worldwide, are sold to the life sciences market throughout the world. The Company’s therapeutic division is in various stages of clinical evaluation of its proprietary gene medicine for HIV-1 infection and its proprietary immune regulation medicines for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection and for Crohn’s disease. The Company also holds a patent covering a method of materials for correcting point mutations or small insertions or deletions of genetic material that would allow for editing and correcting certain abnormalities in genes. For more information visit our website www.enzo.com.
About the University of Connecticut Health Center
The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group, UConn Health Partners and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service.
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may be considered “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. The company disclaims any obligations to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.