Enzo reports on new antisense compound aimed at reducing serum cholesterol levels.

FARMINGDALE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--January 14, 1997

Annual Meeting Also Informed of New Patent Issued In Japan

Enzo Biochem Inc. (ASE:ENZ) reported to its shareholders at the company's annual meeting today that its researchers had developed antisense compounds directed towards the regulation of serum cholesterol levels. In addition, the meeting was informed that the Japanese patent office had awarded Enzo a patent covering additional aspects of its non-isotopic labeling and detection technology, thus significantly broadening the company's patent coverage in the rapidly growing area of soluble assays for use in detecting the hepatitis B virus, HIV and other pathogens.

"Enzo is clearly emerging as a major factor in two key areas of medical science that we believe will play increasingly important roles -- DNA-probe based diagnostic technology, which will decrease the time required for an effective diagnosis, and gene regulation, which could supplant some present pharmacological-based therapies, as well as create new capabilities in the treatment of disease," said Barry W. Weiner, Enzo's President.

The company said that its work on a hepatitis therapeutic product and its work in serum cholesterol regulation have been significantly facilitated by a breakthrough in developing animal models with functioning human liver cells. "This will drastically cut down the time and cost of our research," said Dr. Elazar Rabbani, Ph.D., the company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

In its development program for cholesterol regulation, Enzo scientists have targeted a key enzyme involved in cholesterol production, and are applying antisense technology to the regulation of serum cholesterol levels. An antisense gene was prepared as a "mirror image" of the normal genetic sequence for the targeted enzyme, and was inserted into Enzo's patented GenSert(TM) delivery system. GenSert provides a non-viral gene delivery system that can function in human serum, an environment that is hostile to many non-viral vectors. This property provides an effective means for in vivo gene therapy, and is being used by Enzo scientists for delivering antisense genes to liver cells in developing therapeutic applications for treatment of liver diseases such as hypercholesteremia and hepatitis, as well as to other diseases in other tissues and cells.

The Japanese patent award (Japanese Patent No. 2577881) for non-isotopic labeling and detection of genetic material follows a similar patent granted previously in Europe. A patent application is also pending in the U.S. The technology is widely applicable to clinical assays, basic research and forensic medicine. Among other aspects, it provides for rapid, straight-forward detection of infectious agents, cancer and genetic diseases by the detection of the errant DNA in transparent or soluble methods. Assay formats are fully compatible with procedures and equipment currently in use in most clinical laboratories, and they are fully applicable to automated procedures.

Enzo scientists have used this aspect of its DNA-probe technology for the development of soluble assays for hepatitis B virus, HIV and other pathogens. The technology has been used in combination with Enzo's proprietary nucleic acid amplification, allowing the detection of as few as one molecule of genetic material.

In other areas, Mr. Weiner said that following preclinical testing, which has achieved "some very exciting" results, the company's Enzo Therapeutics subsidiary is increasingly centering its development efforts on gene regulation for the treatment of HIV and hepatitis. "We are preparing for human clinical trials of our HIV medicine," he added.

It was also reported that the Company continues its strong financial position, with working capital in excess of $40 million, including cash of approximately $24 million. Expenditures for research and development continue to grow, as the company's activities in product development and research collaborations expand, but Mr. Weiner stressed that Enzo's outlays remain highly manageable. "We have been able to get tremendous value out of our research dollars, " he said.

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.

CONTACT: Anreder And Company

Steve Anreder, 212/421-4020

or

Enzo Biochem

Barry W. Weiner, 212/583-0100