Enzon Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Shearwater Polymers.PISCATAWAY, N.J.(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 1998-- Enzon Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :ENZN) announced today that it has filed a patent infringement suit in Federal Court in New Jersey against Shearwater shearwater, common name for members of the family Procellariidae, gull-like sea birds related to the petrel and the albatross and including the fulmar. Shearwaters are found on unfrozen saltwaters all over the world, with 35 species in North America. Polymers, Inc., (Shearwater) for infringement of U.S. Patent 5,643,575, one of the patents covering Enzon's second generation PEG technology. The patent covers a proprietary form of PEG called "Branched PEG". Pegylation involves the chemical combination of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with protein and small molecule drugs to increase their circulation time in the body and decrease their immunogenicity immunogenicity /im·mu·no·ge·nic·i·ty/ (-je-nis´it-e) the property enabling a substance to provoke an immune response, or the degree to which a substance possesses this property. . Branched PEG is a unique form of high molecular weight PEG covered under this Enzon patent and pending U.S. and foreign patent applications. Shearwater recently announced the signing of a royalty-bearing license agreement with Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd. (Roche). According to the announcement, Shearwater will supply its version of branched PEG to Roche for manufacture of Roche's pegylated 40-K interferon alfa-2a. According to Shearwater, Roche's product is in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of hepatitis C. Enzon manufactures two FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. approved products that utilize its first generation PEG technology, ONCASPAR(R), which is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia acute lymphoblastic leukemia n. Abbr. ALL Lymphoblastic leukemia occurring mainly in older adults, characterized by rapid onset and progression of symptoms. Also called acute lymphocytic leukemia. (ALL) and ADAGEN(R), a treatment for a form of severe combined immunodeficiency disease Noun 1. severe combined immunodeficiency disease - a congenital disease affecting T cells that can result from a mutation in any one of several different genes; children with it are susceptible to infectious disease; if untreated it is lethal within the first year or (SCID SCID severe combined immunodeficiency (disease); see under immunodeficiency. SCID abbr. severe combined immunodeficiency SCID severe combined immunodeficiency disease. ). Enzon also licenses its PEG technologies to strategic partners for commercialization. Enzon is a biopharmaceutical company developing advanced therapeutics for life-threatening diseases through the application of its proprietary drug delivery and targeting technologies, PEG Modification, Pro Drug/Transport technology and Single-Chain Antigen- Binding (SCA (Single Connector Attachment) An 80-pin plug and socket used to connect peripherals. With a SCSI drive, it rolls three cables (power, data channel and ID configuration) into one connector for fast installation and removal. (R)) protein technology. Enzon's research activities are focused primarily in the area of oncology. In addition to two FDA approved products, Enzon has several products in various stages of clinical development by itself and with partners, including PEG-INTRON A (pegylated interferon alfa-2b) with Schering-Plough, which uses a different proprietary PEG technology and is currently in Phase III clinical trials for hepatitis C, malignant melanoma and chronic myelogenous leukemia Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) Also called chronic myelocytic leukemia, malignant disorder that involves abnormal accumulation of white cells in the marrow and bloodstream. Mentioned in: Bone Marrow Transplantation . Enzon develops and markets products on its own and through its alliance partners, which in addition to Schering-Plough, include Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Baxter Healthcare, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals. Except for the historical information herein, the matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly based upon a number of factors which are described in the Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q's and Form 8-K on file with the SEC, including without limitation, risks in obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval for expanded indications, market acceptance of and continuing demand for Enzon's products and the impact of competitive products and pricing. This release is also available at http://www.enzon.com. |
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