Enzo Biochem to Present New AmpiProbe™ Nucleic Acid Amplification Platform at ESCMID London Meeting
Highly Efficient, Economic Assay Viewed as Improvement over Conventional PCR Based Tests
Company Plans to Seek CE-IVD Designation for HCV Assay
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Enzo Biochem Inc. (NYSE: ENZ) announced today that the company will present for the first time peer-reviewed data on detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) using its novel AmpiProbe™ technology platform, which provides low cost and high sensitivity real-time nucleic acid amplification assays. The data will be unveiled at the upcoming meeting of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), scheduled for March 31-April 3 in London.
The abstract, “Quantitative Detection of HCV RNA in Human Plasma-Serum using the Enzo AmpiProbe™ HCV RNA Assay,” has been accepted for publication in Clinical Microbiology and Infection, the official ESCMID journal. In addition, Enzo will seek CE-IVD (Conformité Européenne in vitro diagnostic) designation for the company’s HCV RNA assay, enabling the company to market the product as a diagnostic in the European Union.
Poised as a significant new entry in the market, the AmpiProbe™ HCV assay facilitates paneling – or multiple tests per single sample, thereby requiring less sample for each test. In addition, the HCV assay utilizes highly efficient technology that employs less reaction volume.
“The AmpiProbe™ HCV assay provides a superior testing methodology through greater operational efficiency and economy than any similar platform currently on the market, and we are pleased to be able to present it at the highly prestigious ESCMID meeting,” said Barry Weiner, Enzo President. “By providing overall cost savings in reagents and sample processing, the HCV assay is positioned to benefit physicians as well as patients. We believe that this assay represents the beginning of a new generation of nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics.”
About Enzo Biochem
Enzo Biochem is a pioneer in molecular diagnostics, leading the convergence of clinical laboratories, life sciences and therapeutics through the development of unique diagnostic platform technologies that provide numerous advantages over previous standards. A global company, Enzo Biochem utilizes cross-functional teams to develop and rapidly deploy products systems and services that meet the ever-changing and rapidly growing needs of health care both today and into the future. Underpinning Enzo Biochem’s products and technologies is a broad and deep intellectual property portfolio, with patent coverage across a number of key enabling technologies.
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, including those related to cash flow, gross margins, revenues, and expenses are dependent on a number of factors outside of the control of the company including, inter alia, the markets for the Company’s products and services, costs of goods and services, other expenses, government regulations, litigations, and general business conditions. See Risk Factors in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011. 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.
Enzo Biochem, Inc.
Steven Anreder, 212-532-3232
or
CEOcast,
Inc.
Michael Wachs, 212-732-4300
Source: Enzo Biochem, Inc.
Released March 8, 2012