ENZON AWARDED PATENTS FOR PEG-HEMOGLOBIN And Strengthens Position in Cancer Therapy.PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 1996--Enzon, Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS:ENZN) announced today it has received two additional United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. patents for its hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, PEG-hemoglobin, which has potential application in cancer therapy, trauma situations and elective surgery elective surgery Surgery Any operation that can be performed with advanced planning–eg, cholecystectomy, hernia repair, colonic resection, coronary artery bypass . PEG-hemoglobin is bovine hemoglobin chemically modified by the Company's exclusive PEG-technology. The attachment of PEG (polyethylene glycol polyethylene glycol (PEG): see glycol. ) extends the blood circulating life of a protein, while decreasing the patient's natural immune reaction immune reaction n. The reaction resulting from the recognition and binding of an antigen by its specific antibody or by a previously sensitized lymphocyte. Also called immunoreaction. to the protein. U.S. Patent No. 5,478,806, "Enhancement of Anti-Tumor Therapy with Hemoglobin-Based Conjugates", covers tumor radiosensitization with PEG-hemoglobin, regardless of source of hemoglobin or type of PEG conjugate conjugate /con·ju·gate/ (kon´jdbobr-gat) 1. paired, or equally coupled; working in unison. 2. a conjugate diameter of the pelvic inlet; used alone usually to denote the true conjugate diameter; see . Radiosensitization is the process of delivering oxygen to solid tumors to enhance response to radiation therapy. Approximately 800,000 cases of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year involve solid tumors treated with radiation. In September 1995, Enzon completed a clinical trial with 28 healthy volunteers who received up to 45 grams of PEG- hemoglobin -- which is equivalent to 1.5 units of blood and exceeds the dosage required for radiosensitization. In the next few weeks, Enzon will begin a multi-dose, multi-center clinical trial of PEG-hemoglobin in cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. U.S. Patent No. 5,478,805, "Fractionation fractionation /frac·tion·a·tion/ (frak?shun-a´shun) 1. in radiology, division of the total dose of radiation into small doses administered at intervals. 2. of Polyalkylene Oxide-Conjugated Hemoglobin Solutions", covers a method of simultaneously fractionating and purifying PEG-hemoglobin conjugates. Enzon has received other patents on PEG-hemoglobin covering compositions, methods of use and purification and manufacturing processes. In the new trial, patients will receive a once-a-week dose of PEG-hemoglobin for each five days of radiation treatment during a three-week therapy program. The Company believes that a sufficient amount of PEG-hemoglobin will remain in the blood to properly oxygenate oxygenate /ox·y·gen·ate/ (-je-nat) to saturate with oxygen. ox·y·gen·ate or ox·y·gen·ize v. To treat, combine, or infuse with oxygen. tumors and optimize radiation during the five day course of treatment. "A competitive radiosensitizer will have to have a circulating life in days, rather than hours to meet today's standards for a cost-effective therapy." "The combination of our patent position and the extended circulating life of PEG-hemoglobin strengthens our competitive position in this field and in hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers overall," stated Peter G. Tombros, Enzon's president and chief executive officer. Enzon is a biopharmaceutical company developing advanced therapies for life-threatening diseases primarily in the areas of cancer therapy, blood substitutes and genetic diseases. Through the application of its proprietary technologies, Enzon has two FDA-approved products and strategic alliances with companies such as Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals, Schering Corporation, Eli Lilly Eli Lilly can refer to:
CONTACT: Donna Brasko (908) 980-4577 |
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