EXHIBIT 99.1
[ENZO LOGO OMITTED]Enzo news
release
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ENZO BIOCHEM, INC.
527 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ENZO BIOCHEM APPOINTS MELVIN F. LAZAR AS LEAD
INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
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FARMINGDALE, NY, November 4, 2005 - Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) today
announced that its Board of Directors has established a lead independent
director position and has appointed Melvin F. Lazar to serve in that capacity.
Mr. Lazar has been a member of Enzo's Board of Directors since August 1, 2002,
and serves on the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and is the
Chairman of its Nominating/Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.
Elazar Rabbani, Enzo's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
commented, "The creation of the role of lead independent director is an
important step to further enhance our board independence and corporate
governance. We are fortunate to be able to call on the talent and experience of
Melvin Lazar in this newly created role."
The duties and responsibilities of the lead independent director are set forth
in the lead independent director charter adopted by the Board today. Among other
things, the lead independent director will coordinate the activities of the
independent directors, serve as a liaison between the Chairman of the Board,
Enzo's senior management and Enzo's independent directors, and preside at the
executive sessions of Enzo's independent directors. Independent directors
represent five of the eight Board members. The lead independent director charter
is available on our website at www.enzo.com.
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 are sold to the life sciences market throughout
the world. The Company's therapeutic division is in various stages of clinical
evaluation of its proprietary gene medicine for HIV-1 infection and its
proprietary immune regulation medicines for hepatitis B and hepatitis C
infection and for Crohn's Disease. Pre-clinical research is being conducted on
several candidate compounds aimed at producing new mineral and organic bone,
including technology that could provide therapy for osteoporosis and fractures,
among other applications. 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. The Company owns or licenses over 230 patents worldwide.
For more information visit our website WWW.ENZO.COM.
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.
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CONTACT:
For: Enzo Biochem, Inc.
Steve Anreder, 212-532-3232 Or Ed Lewis, CEOcast, Inc., 212-732-4300