EXHIBIT A
[ENZO LOGO] NEWS
RELEASE
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Enzo Biochem, Inc.
527 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ENZO BIOCHEM, INC. FILES PATENT INFRINGEMENT LAWSUIT
INVOLVING DNA SEQUENCING AGAINST APPLERA CORP. AND
SUBSIDIARY
NEW YORK, NY JUNE 8, 2004 -- Enzo Biochem, Inc. announced today that it has
filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of
Connecticut against Applera Corporation and its subsidiary Tropix Inc. charging
them with patent infringement arising out of the misappropriation of Enzo's
proprietary and pioneering patented technologies related to DNA sequencing
systems, and other products. The Complaint charges the Defendants with
infringing United States Patent Nos. 5,476,928; 5,449,767; 5,328,824; 4,711,955;
5,082,830; and 4,994,373. Four of these patents are exclusively licensed to Enzo
Biochem, Inc. by Yale University. Yale is also a named Plaintiff in the suit.
The remaining patents are owned by Enzo Biochem, Inc.'s subsidiary, Enzo Life
Sciences, Inc.
The asserted patents cover the pioneering technologies relating to compounds
used in DNA sequencing systems to read the genetic code. These inventions cover
compositions and methods for detecting and reading genetic materials. Enzo says
that these pioneering patented products and technologies have paved the way for
major developments in important areas in biological science and medicine. The
applications for these inventions are diverse, ranging from detecting pathogens
and human diseases, such as cancer, to decoding and analyzing the human genome.
The Complaint asserts that Applera and Tropix infringe the Plaintiffs' patent
rights, and that they improperly make, use and sell the patented products and
technologies, as well as providing others with unauthorized and prohibited
access to the patented products and technologies. Plaintiffs' are seeking
injunctive relief and monetary damages for the Defendants' patent infringement.
ABOUT ENZO
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. The Company's proprietary labeling and detection products for gene
sequencing and genetic analysis, with over 180 patents worldwide, are sold to
the life sciences market throughout the world. The Company's therapeutic
division is conducting clinical trials for HIV-1 infected patients
and for
patients infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. The Company also
holds a patent covering a method and materials for correcting point mutations,
or small insertions or deletions of genetic material, that would allow for
editing and correcting certain abnormalities in genes.
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 STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF DEVELOPMENTS
OCCURRING AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.
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CONTACT:
For: Enzo Biochem, Inc.
Steve Anreder, 212-532-3232
Or
Ed Lewis, CEOcast, Inc., 212-732-4300