Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) announced today that its Enzo Clinical Lab
division has entered into an exclusive marketing partnership covering
the States of New York and New Jersey with privately-owned Ikonisys,
Inc., of New Haven, CT, relating to Ikonisys’ proprietary oncoFISH®
cervical test, a laboratory developed test for cervical cancer
prevention.
Under the agreement, Enzo Clinical Labs will market the assay to
physicians requesting advanced analysis of specimens from liquid based
Pap tests to assist them in evaluating cytologic reports. Ikonisys will
conduct the evaluation of the specimen using its proprietary CellOptics®
platform on the Ikoniscope® Digital Microscopy System for the
interpretation of molecular signals. The assay is based on the
identification of a genetic marker, which numerous scientific articles
have linked with an increased likelihood for the development of cervical
cancer. Running the assay will not require obtaining an additional
specimen from patients.
"The results of Pap smears are not always conclusive. oncoFISH®
cervical provides an important new dimension for further evaluation,
tied to chromosome related indicators, to determine the probability of
progression to cervical cancer where the current results are indecisive
or suspicious,” said Kevin Krenitsky, MD, President of Enzo Clinical
Labs. "It also represents another important extension of our Labs’
program to broaden our menu of tests in the field of Women’s Health. We
are committed at Enzo to provide our patients the best diagnostic
testing options that are at the forefront of medical innovation.
oncoFISH® cervical will enable our physician clients to have more
information, leading to better patient care.”
"oncoFISH cervical is beginning to show great potential in the clinical
management of cervical dysplasia,” said Bruce Dziura, MD, Clinical
Director of New England Pathology Associates.
"Our marketing agreement with Enzo Clinical Labs is the first for our
firm involving our oncoFISH cervical test, which has New York
State clearance, and we are very pleased to partner with them given
Enzo’s capabilities and high standing in the reference laboratory
community,” said Petros Tsipouras, MD, Chairman and CEO of Ikonisys, Inc.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
About Enzo
Enzo Biochem, Inc., is a growth-oriented integrated life sciences and
biotechnology company focused on harnessing biological process to
develop research tools, diagnostics and therapeutics, and serves as a
provider of test services, including exotic tests, to the medical
community. Since our founding in 1976, our strategic focus has been on
the development of enabling technologies in the life sciences field.
Enzo Life Sciences develops, produces and markets proprietary labeling
and detection products for gene sequencing, genetic analysis and
immunological research, among others. Its catalog of over 40,000
products serve the molecular biology, drug discovery and pathology
research markets worldwide. Enzo Clinical Labs division provides
laboratory services for a growing roster of physicians in the New York
Metropolitan area, as well as parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Its
tests include, in addition to routine tests, capabilities for detecting
molecular infection disease, molecular oncology, autoimmune disorders
and genetics. Enzo Clinical Labs also provides clinical diagnostic
services that allow Enzo to capitalize on its extensive advanced
molecular and cytogenetic capabilities and the broader trends in
predictive and personalized diagnostics. Enzo Therapeutics is a
biopharmaceutical venture that has developed multiple novel approaches
in the areas of gastrointestinal, infectious, ophthalmic and metabolic
diseases. It has focused its efforts on developing treatment regimens
for diseases and conditions for which current treatment options are
ineffective, costly, and/or cause unwanted side effects. In the course
of the company’s research and development activities, Enzo has developed
a substantial portfolio of intellectual property assets, with 249 issued
patents worldwide and over 200 pending patent applications.
About Ikonisys
Founded in 1999, Ikonisys, Inc. is a privately-held, next generation
diagnostic company specializing in non-invasive, cell-based diagnostics.
Ikonisys has developed the CellOptics®
platform,
a robotic microscopy technology for fully-automated, high-throughput
identification and analysis of rare cells by fluorescent in-situ
hybridization (FISH). A pipeline of applications is being developed for
cancer diagnosis and management (oncoFISH®)
and prenatal detection of genetic disorders (fastFISH®)
to be run on the Ikoniscope®
using the CellOptics technology. Ikonisys’ first proprietary test, oncoFISH
cervical, is offered as a Laboratory Developed Test through the
Company’s CAP-accredited clinical laboratory. In addition to oncoFISH
cervical, the Company offers three FDA-cleared applications that
automate certain commercially available FISH tests.
To learn more visit www.ikonisys.com.
Enzo Biochem Safe Harbor Statement
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.