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ENZO Biochem Reports On Potential Biomarker for Diagnosis of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (Nash)

Could Reduce Need for Highly Invasive Procedures Now Used for NASH Diagnosis
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Disease Estimated to Affect Over 8 million Americans—Upwards of 30 Million Thought to Have Milder Form of Fatty Liver

 
 
NEW YORK, NY, October 30, 2007 – Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) announced today that its scientific collaborators will present data from a research study identifying a possible biomarker for the diagnosis of NASH, or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.  The presentation will take place on November 5th at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases meeting (AASLD) in Boston.
 
The data suggest that alterations in the levels of GM1, an important glycolipid component of the cell membrane in T cells, may serve as a biomarker for the disease, thereby potentially reducing the need for more invasive procedures, such as liver biopsy, to make a definitive diagnosis.
 
This study data also indicate that there may be a correlation between alterations at the cellular level and altered physiology in the progression of NASH. This research is part of Enzo’s ongoing study of EGS21™, the Company’s candidate drug for the treatment of NASH.  EGS21 is currently being evaluated in a Phase II clinical trial; results are expected in 2008.
 
NASH is one of the most common causes of abnormal liver pathology in the U.S.  It is one stage in a disease spectrum that ranges from liver steatosis, or fatty liver, to steatohepatitis, advanced fibrosis and end-stage cirrhosis. The disease is estimated to affect 19% of the adult population and almost half of morbidly obese individuals.
 
Biomarkers are an important part of the drug development process as they can assist in the identification and characterization of various patient populations that might be more responsive to a particular therapy. They can also be invaluable aids in assessing the particular biochemical pathways affected by a specific therapeutic modality, thereby providing insight into its mechanism of action.
 
In addition to this paper, the Company’s scientific collaborators will make five additional presentations dealing with the potential effect of glycolipid combinations on pancreatic injury and insulin secretion, the potential effect of EGS21 on liver cell membranes and its attenuation of immune-mediated liver damage caused by T cell activators.

About Enzo
Enzo Biochem is engaged in the research, development, manufacture and licensing of innovative health care products and technologies based on molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques, and in providing diagnostic services to the medical community. Enzo’s Life Sciences division develops, produces and markets proprietary labeling and detection products for gene sequencing, genetic analysis and immunological research among others.  Its catalog of over 25,000 products serves the molecular biology, drug discovery and pathology research markets. 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 uveitis, Crohn's Disease, and NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), and conducts pre-clinical research 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.  Enzo’s Clinical Labs division provides routine and esoteric reference laboratory services for physicians in the New York Metropolitan and New Jersey areas. Underpinning the Company’s technology and operations is an extensive intellectual property estate in which Enzo owns or licenses over 200 patents worldwide, and has pending applications for over 180 more. 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.
 
  
Contact:
 
     For: Enzo Biochem, Inc.
     Steven Anreder, 212-532-3232        Or    Michael Wachs, CEOcast, Inc., 212-732-4300