EXHIBIT 99.1
[ENZO LOGO] NEWS
RELEASE
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ENZO BIOCHEM, INC.
527 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ENZO BIOCHEM AWARDED PATENT COVERING PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING
THERAPEUTIC PROTEINS OR RNAS IN LIVING CELLS
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FARMINGDALE, NY, January 19, 2006 - Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ),
announced at its annual meeting today that it has been issued a patent covering
processes for producing large quantities of therapeutic proteins or RNAs within
living target cells.
The unusual property of this invention is that it relies upon signals
and regulatory elements that do not otherwise exist within the cell. This may
allow for a large yield of the specific molecule desired, either the protein or
the nucleic acid. By not bringing recognizable signaling moieties into the cell,
it could add an element of efficiency and safety to the process.
The patent, United States Patent No. 6,986,985 (the `985 patent) titled
"Process for Producing Multiple Nucleic Acid Copies IN VIVO using a Protein
Nucleic Acid Construct," was issued on January 17, 2006 by the United States
Patent and Trademark Office.
An important application of this technology may be to deliver
therapeutic proteins to particular target cells in animals and humans. It may
also facilitate delivery of regulatory RNA molecules, including antisense RNA
molecules for the management of medically important diseases. As such it could
represent a potentially safer and a more efficient strategy for gene expression
and protein production in mammals, including humans.
"This patent adds a further component to our Company's broad technical
capabilities and intellectual property portfolio in the area of protein
supplementation therapy," said Elazar Rabbani, Ph.D., Enzo's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, "and is indicative of the broad value contained in our
intellectual property, as demonstrated by our patent estate in excess of more
than 200 worldwide patents."
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 200 patents worldwide.
For more information visit our website www.enzo.com.
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Enzo Biochem, Inc. - Page 2
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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