SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 7, 2002
ENZON, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-12957 22-2372868
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (IRS Employer
incorporation) File Number) Identification)
20 Kingsbridge Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (732) 980-4500
NA
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 5. Other Events
On March 7, 2002, Enzon, Inc. ("Enzon") announced that Schering-Plough
Corporation ("Schering-Plough") would remove a large block of patients from the
PEG-INTRON Access Assurance Program (the "Program") wait list. This is the
second block of patients to come off the wait list since the Program was
transitioned to a wait-list system in January 2002. The wait-list system was put
in place as a result of an overwhelming response to the introduction of the
PEG-INTRON combination therapy for treating chronic hepatitis C to the U.S.
market. The wait-list system will remain in place. Newly enrolling patients can
expect to start therapy in the April 2002 timeframe.
PEG-INTRON is a longer-acting form of INTRON(R) A (interferon alfa-2b,
recombinant) Injection that uses proprietary PEG technology developed by Enzon.
Under Enzon's licensing agreement with Schering-Plough, Enzon is entitled to
royalties on worldwide sales of PEG-INTRON. Schering-Plough holds an exclusive
worldwide license to PEG-INTRON.
In October 2001, Schering-Plough announced the launch of PEG-INTRON
combination therapy using PEG-INTRON(TM) (peginterferon alfa-2b) Powder for
Injection and REBETOL(R) (ribavirin, USP) Capsules for treating chronic
hepatitis C. Prior to the launch of the combination therapy, Schering-Plough
anticipated that demand for PEG-INTRON could be heavy, but the extent of that
demand could not be estimated with certainty. As a result, Schering-Plough
implemented the Program in order to ensure that individual patients who begin
treatment will have uninterrupted access to a full course of PEG-INTRON therapy.
Continuity of hepatitis C therapy is critical to achieving optimal patient
outcomes. The Program enables Schering-Plough to systematically manage the
distribution of PEG-INTRON so that no patients who have begun therapy risk
having their hepatitis C treatment interrupted due to product availability.
Under the Program, all patients initiating therapy will have access to a full,
uninterrupted course of PEG-INTRON.
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's on file with the SEC, including without limitation, risks in
obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval for indications and expanded
indications, market acceptance of and continuing demand for Enzon's products and
the impact of competitive products and pricing.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 6, 2002
ENZON, INC.
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(Registrant)
By: /s/ KENNETH J. ZUERBLIS
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Kenneth J. Zuerblis
Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial
Officer and Corporate Secretary