Enzo Biochem, Inc. Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Involving DNA Sequencing against Applera Corp. and Subsidiary.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 2004 Enzo Biochem, Inc. announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut The United States District Court for the District of Connecticut is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Connecticut. The court has offices in Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven. against Applera Corporation and its subsidiary Tropix Inc. charging them with patent infringement patent infringement n. the manufacture and/or use of an invention or improvement for which someone else owns a patent issued by the government, without obtaining permission of the owner of the patent by contract, license or waiver. arising out of the misappropriation misappropriation n. the intentional, illegal use of the property or funds of another person for one's own use or other unauthorized purpose, particularly by a public official, a trustee of a trust, an executor or administrator of a dead person's estate, or by any of Enzo's proprietary and pioneering patented technologies related to DNA sequencing DNA sequencing The determination of the sequence of nucleotides in a sample of DNA. systems, and other products. The Complaint charges the Defendants with infringing 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. Patent Nos. 5,476,928; 5,449,767; 5,328,824; 4,711,955; 5,082,830; and 4,994,373. Four of these patents are exclusively licensed to Enzo Biochem, Inc. by Yale University. Yale is also a named Plaintiff in the suit. The remaining patents are owned by Enzo Biochem, Inc.'s subsidiary, Enzo Life Sciences, Inc. The asserted patents cover the pioneering technologies relating to compounds used in DNA sequencing systems to read the genetic code. These inventions cover compositions and methods for detecting and reading genetic materials. Enzo says that these pioneering patented products and technologies have paved the way for major developments in important areas in biological science and medicine. The applications for these inventions are diverse, ranging from detecting pathogens and human diseases, such as cancer, to decoding and analyzing the human genome. The Complaint asserts that Applera and Tropix infringe the Plaintiffs' patent rights, and that they improperly make, use and sell the patented products and technologies, as well as providing others with unauthorized and prohibited access to the patented products and technologies. Plaintiffs' are seeking injunctive relief injunctive relief n. a court-ordered act or prohibition against an act or condition which has been requested, and sometimes granted, in a petition to the court for an injunction. and monetary damages for the Defendants' patent infringement. About Enzo Enzo Biochem is engaged in the research, development and manufacture of innovative health care products based on molecular biology molecular biology, scientific study of the molecular basis of life processes, including cellular respiration, excretion, and reproduction. The term molecular biology was coined in 1938 by Warren Weaver, then director of the natural sciences program at the Rockefeller and genetic engineering techniques, and in providing diagnostic services diagnostic services, n.pl the imaging and laboratory capabilities available for determining the cause of an illness. to the medical community. The Company's proprietary labeling and detection products for gene sequencing and genetic analysis, with over 180 patents worldwide, are sold to the life sciences market throughout the world. The Company's therapeutic division is conducting clinical trials for HIV-1 infected patients and for patients infected with hepatitis B Hepatitis B Definition Hepatitis B is a potentially serious form of liver inflammation due to infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It occurs in both rapidly developing (acute) and long-lasting (chronic) forms, and is one of the most common chronic and hepatitis C viruses. The Company also holds a patent covering a method and materials for correcting point mutations, or small insertions or deletions of genetic material, that would allow for editing and correcting certain abnormalities in genes. 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 statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release. |
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