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Highly Efficient Economic Test Also Provides
Greater Sensitivity Than Conventional PCR-based
Assays
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Other AmpiProbe™ Platform-Based Assays In
Development for
Nucleic Acid Testing Market
NEW YORK, NY, March 13, 2012 - Enzo Biochem
Inc.(NYSE:ENZ) announced today the
filing of an application with the New York State
Department of Health for the first assay based on its
proprietary AmpiProbe™ nucleic acid detection platform.
Upon approval, the Company plans to market its HCV RNA
Quantification Assay for viral load determination
through its Enzo Clinical Laboratory. The Company
previously announced plans to seek CE-IVD designation
for this assay in order to make it available as a
diagnostic product in the European Union.
New York State's Department of Health ensures
the quality of clinical laboratory tests, among others,
through what is recognized as the country's most
comprehensive licensure program.
The Company said that, compared with other
leading platforms currently in use in what it estimates
is a $2 billion market for nucleic acid-based tests,
assays based on AmpiProbe™ platform may provide
substantially greater sensitivity than conventional
PCR-based tests. As a result, AmpiProbe™ assays would
require less sample input, facilitating paneling or
multiple preparations of tests per sample leading to
economic efficiencies. The assay's utilization of
this particular Enzo proprietary technology may thus
reduce the need of obtaining multiple samples from
patients, an important factor for both physicians and
the patients.
"Our studies indicate that AmpiProbe™ based
assays can provide a superior testing methodology
through greater operational efficiency and economy than
any similar platform currently on the market,"
said Barry Weiner, Enzo President. "By providing
cost savings to clinical laboratories as well as
potential benefits to medical practices, we believe
that our AmpiProbe™ platform can lead to a new
generation of nucleic-acid based assays.
"AmpiProbe™ HCV is the first assay developed
from Enzo's proprietary nucleic acid amplification
technology, and we view it as potentially a promising
example of other molecular-based products that we
currently have under development," Mr. Weiner
added.
The Company previously announced that it would
present for the first time clinical findings related to
AmpiProbe™ at the March 31, 2012 meeting in London,
England, of the European Society of Clinical
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. An abstract,
entitled "Quantitative Detection of HCV RNA in
Human Plasma-serum using the Enzo AmpiProbe™ HCV RNA
Assay," has been accepted for publication in the
European Society of Clinical Microbiology and
Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) official journal, Clinical
Microbiology and Infection (CMI).
About Enzo Biochem
Enzo Biochem is a pioneer in molecular
diagnostics, leading the convergence of clinical
laboratories, life sciences and therapeutics through
the development of unique diagnostic platform
technologies that provide numerous advantages over
previous standards. A global company, Enzo Biochem
utilizes cross-functional teams to develop and rapidly
deploy products systems and services that meet the
ever-changing and rapidly growing needs of health care
both today and into the future. Underpinning Enzo
Biochem's products and technologies is a broad and
deep intellectual property portfolio, with patent
coverage across a number of key enabling
technologies.
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,
including those related to cash flow, gross margins,
revenues, and expenses are dependent on a number of
factors outside of the control of the company
including, inter alia, the markets for the
Company's products and services, costs of goods and
services, other expenses, government regulations,
litigations, and general business conditions. See Risk
Factors in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended July 31, 2011. 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.
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Contact:
For: Enzo Biochem, Inc.
Steven Anreder, 212-532-3232 or Michael Wachs,
CEOcast, Inc., 212-732-4300
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