SMA is a genetic,neuromuscular disease caused by progressive degeneration of nerve cells in thespinal cord that leads to muscular weakness and atrophy and increased risk forearly death due to respiratory failure.It is estimated that SMA affectsapproximately 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 10,000 live births worldwide. The disease islinked to a mutation in or deletion of the SMN1 gene, resulting in reducedlevels of SMN protein. An active area of therapeutics development has beenelevation of SMN protein levels.
“The SMN ELISA kitaddresses a critical gap in SMA research and is expected to significantlyaccelerate SMA therapeutics development. Development and distribution of thissystem could not happen without the successful collaboration with Enzo andcontributions from the SMA research community,” said Karen Chen, Ph.D., theChief Scientific Officer of the SMA Foundation.
The Enzo SMN ELISA Kitprovides a reliable and widely-accessible means for researchers to measure SMNprotein levels, and greatly simplifies and accelerates efficacy assessment ofpotential drugs in clinical trials that are designed to increase SMN proteinlevels.The assay has beenvalidated for use with human and mouse cell lysates and tissue homogenates, suchas peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) lysates, and will be marketedthrough Enzo’s worldwide sales and marketing group.
“During the assaydevelopment, the SMA Foundation facilitated the supply of assay kits toaffiliated researchers in theUSand abroad.This allowed us to validate the assay in-house while simultaneously receivingvaluable feedback about assay specifications, performance, and protocols fromscientists who will ultimately be using the kits in their studies,” said WaynePattonPh.D., Chief ScientificOfficer at Enzo Life Sciences. “Our custom assay development team continues towork with the SMA Foundation to expand the utility of the kit to includeadditional sample types and protocols relevant to SMA research programs andmodel systems, which should add further value to the assay in themarketplace.”
About EnzoBiochem
EnzoBiochem, Inc., is a growth-oriented integrated life sciences and biotechnologycompany 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, ourstrategic focus has been on the development of enabling technologies in the lifesciences field.Enzo Life Sciencesdevelops, produces and markets proprietary labeling and detection products forgene sequencing, genetic analysis and immunological research, among others. Itscatalog of over 30,000 products serves the molecular biology, drug discovery andpathology research markets worldwide.Enzo Clinical Labs provides laboratory services for a growing roster ofphysicians in the New York Metropolitan area,PennsylvaniaandNew Jersey.Its tests include, in addition toroutine tests, capabilities for detecting molecular infection disease, molecularoncology, autoimmune disorders and genetics.Enzo Clinical Labs also providesclinical diagnostic services that allow Enzo to capitalize on its extensiveadvanced molecular and cytogenetic capabilities and the broader trends inpredictive and personalized diagnostics.Enzo Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical venture that has developedmultiple novel approaches in the areas of gastrointestinal, infectious,ophthalmic and metabolic diseases.It has focused its efforts on developing treatment regimens for diseasesand conditions for which current treatment options are ineffective, costly,and/or cause unwanted side effects.In the course ofthe company’s research and development activities, Enzo has also developed asubstantial portfolio of intellectual property asset with patent coverage acrossa number of key technologies.
Except forhistorical information, the matters discussed in this news release may beconsidered"forward-looking"statements within the meaning of Section 27A of theSecurities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities ExchangeAct of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding theintent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management,including those related to cash flow, gross margins, revenues, and expenses aredependent on a number of factors outside of the control of the companyincluding,inter alia, the marketsfor the Company’s products and services, costs of goods and services, otherexpenses, government regulations, litigations, and general business conditions.See Risk Factors in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31,2010. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are notguarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertaintiesthat could materially affect actual results. The Company disclaims anyobligations to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developmentsoccurring after the date of this press release.
About the SMAFoundation
Founded in 2003, theSpinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated toaccelerating progress towards a treatment and cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophythrough targeted funding of clinical research and novel drug developmentefforts.Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $75 millionfor SMA research.In addition, the Foundation is committed to raisingawareness and generating support for increased research efforts in SMA among theleaders of industry and government.
For more information onthe Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation, please visitwww.smafoundation.org.
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Contact:
For: EnzoBiochem, Inc.
Steven Anreder, 212-532-3232
or
CEOcast, Inc.
MichaelWachs, 212-732-4300
For: SMAFoundation
Call646-253-7100
researchtools@smafoundation.org
_____________________
StevenAnreder
Anreder&Company
286 Madison Avenue Suite907
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-532-3232
Fax: 212-679-7999
http://www.anreder.com
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