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Enzo Biochem's Clinical Labs Division Signs Exclusive Marketing Agreement with Ikonisys For Proprietary Molecular-Based Cervical Cancer Test
oncoFISH® cervical Available For Cervical Cytology Evaluation
New York, NY, December 10, 2009:
Enzo Biochem, Inc (NYSE:ENZ) announced today that its Enzo Clinical Lab division has entered into an exclusive marketing partnership covering the States of New York and New Jersey with privately-owned Ikonisys, Inc., of New Haven, CT, relating to Ikonisys' proprietary oncoFISH cervical test, a laboratory developed test for cervical cancer prevention.
Under the agreement, Enzo Clinical Labs will market the assay to physicians requesting advanced analysis of specimens from liquid based Pap tests to assist them in evaluating cytologic reports. Ikonisys will conduct the evaluation of the specimen using its proprietary CellOptics® platform on the Ikoniscope® Digital Microscopy System for the interpretation of molecular signals. The assay is based on the identification of a genetic marker, which numerous scientific articles have linked with an increased likelihood for the development of cervical cancer. Running the assay will not require obtaining an additional specimen from patients.
"The results of Pap smears are not always conclusive. oncoFISH cervical provides an important new dimension for further evaluation, tied to chromosome related indicators, to determine the probability of progression to cervical cancer where the current results are indecisive or suspicious," said Kevin Krenitsky, MD, President of Enzo Clinical Labs. "It also represents another important extension of our Labs' program to broaden our menu of tests in the field of Women's Health. We are committed at Enzo to provide our patients the best diagnostic testing options that are at the forefront of medical innovation. oncoFISH cervical will enable our physician clients to have more information, leading to better patient care."
"oncoFISH cervical is beginning to show great potential in the clinical management of cervical dysplasia," said Bruce Dziura, MD, Clinical Director of New England Pathology Associates.
"Our marketing agreement with Enzo Clinical Labs is the first for our firm involving our oncoFISH cervical test, which has New York State clearance, and we are very pleased to partner with them given Enzo's capabilities and high standing in the reference laboratory community," said Petros Tsipouras, MD, Chairman and CEO of Ikonisys, Inc.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
About Enzo
Enzo Biochem, Inc., is a growth-oriented integrated life sciences and biotechnology company focused on harnessing biological process to develop research tools, diagnostics and therapeutics, and serves as a provider of both routine and esoteric test services to the medical community. Since its founding in 1976, the Company's strategic focus has been on the development of enabling technologies in the life sciences field. Enzo Life Sciences develops, produces and markets proprietary labeling and detection products for gene expression analysis, nucleic acid detection, protein biochemistry, and cellular analysis, among others. Its catalog of over 40,000 products serve the molecular biology, cellular biochemistry, drug discovery and pathology research markets worldwide. Enzo Clinical Labs division provides laboratory services for a growing roster of physicians in the New York Metropolitan area, as well as New Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania. Its tests include, in addition to routine tests, capabilities for detecting molecular infectious disease, molecular oncology, autoimmune disorders and genetics. Enzo Clinical Labs also provides clinical diagnostic services that allows Enzo to capitalize on its extensive advanced molecular and cytogenetic capabilities and the broader trends in predictive and personalize diagnostics. Enzo Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical venture that has developed multiple novel approaches in the areas of gastrointestinal, infectious, ophthalmic and metabolic diseases. It has focused its efforts on developing treatment regimens for diseases and conditions for which current treatment options are ineffective, costly, and/or cause unwanted side effects. In the course of the company's research and development activities, Enzo has developed a substantial portfolio of intellectual property assets, with over 240 issued patents worldwide and more than 200 pending patent applications.
About Ikonisys
Founded in 1999, Ikonisys, Inc. is a privately-held, next-generation diagnostic company specializing in non-invasive, cell-based diagnostics. Ikonisys has developed the CellOptics® platform, a robotic microscopy technology for fully-automated, high-throughput identification and analysis of rare cells by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH).
A pipeline of applications is being developed for cancer diagnosis and management (oncoFISH®) and prenatal detection of genetic disorders (fastFISH®) to be run on the Ikoniscope® using the CellOptics technology. Ikonisys' first proprietary test, oncoFISH® cervical, is offered as a Laboratory Developed Test through the Company's CAP-accredited clinical laboratory. In addition to oncoFISH cervical, the Company offers three FDA-cleared applications that automate certain commercially available FISH tests.
Enzo Biochem Safe Harbor Statement
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.
Media Contact for Ikonisys:
Alex Salvi
Renee Maher
Ikonisys
203-776-0791
press@ikonisys.com
Investor Relations Contact for Ikonisys:
Louise Mawhinney
Ikonisys
203-776-0791
corporate@ikonisys.com
Media Contact for Enzo Biochem, Inc.:
Steven Anreder, 212-532-3232
Michael Watts, CEOcast, Inc., 212-732-4300