Diagnostic Test for Aspergillus

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February 02, 2004 05:00 PM US Eastern Timezone

Enzon Announces Agreement to Co-Promote Bio-Rad's Test Kit for

Aspergillus Infection; First U.S. Diagnostic Test for Aspergillus is

Complementary to Enzon's ABELCET

BRIDGEWATER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2004--Enzon

Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENZN) announced today that the Company

has entered into an agreement to co-promote Bio-Rad Laboratories,

Inc. (AMEX:BIO and BIOb) Platelia Aspergillus EIA test kit, a non-

invasive diagnostic test that can improve the overall recognition and

diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis. The Platelia Aspergillus EIA

test kit is complementary to Enzon's product ABELCET®. ABELCET

(Amphotericin B Lipid Complex Injection) is a potent, broad-spectrum,

fungicidal agent that is currently the most widely used treatment for

invasive fungal infections among the lipid formulations of

amphotericin B.

Enzon's ABELCET sales force will co-promote Bio-Rad's Aspergillus EIA

test kit throughout hospitals in the United States and Canada,

providing Bio-Rad with greater exposure to physicians that are

treating patients with the highest risk of developing this serious

fungal infection. Remuneration to Enzon was not disclosed.

" The combination of Bio-Rad's powerful diagnostic tool with ABELCET's

proven track record as an effective antifungal agent will enable our

sales team to provide physicians with a premier package aimed at

total patient care, " said e Atwell, Enzon Vice President of

Marketing and Sales.

" We are pleased to be able to partner with Enzon to offer

laboratories and physicians a dramatic improvement to traditional

methods of diagnosing Invasive Aspergillosis, " said Goetz, Bio-

Rad Vice President of Clinical Diagnostics.

About Platelia Aspergillus EIA Test Kit

Bio-Rad's Platelia Aspergillus EIA test kit is a non-invasive

diagnostic method that helps identify Aspergillus species rapidly and

specifically when used in conjunction with other test procedures. The

test kit can diagnose Aspergillus infection in as little as 3 hours,

compared to 2 to 3 days for traditional methods. This provides the

ability to detect Aspergillus species early when treatment can be

more effective, from 6-13 days before clinical symptoms occur. Bio-

Rad received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to

market the breakthrough Aspergillus test in May 2003. It is the first

test available in the United States for invasive aspergillosis, a

potentially life-threatening fungal infection affecting

immunocompromised patients such as those suffering from cancer, HIV,

recipients of lung and bone marrow transplants, and others. The

infection has been difficult to diagnose, as traditional laboratory

methods lack the sensitivity and specificity needed to produce

results that are conclusive, and traditional testing can be

physically intrusive and time-consuming. The test has been used

throughout Europe and elsewhere in the world for the past 6 years.

About Invasive Aspergillosis

Invasive Aspergillosis is an invasive fungal infection that often

affects patients with compromised immune systems, such as those

suffering from cancer, HIV, and recipients of lung or bone marrow

transplants. The Invasive Aspergillosis mortality rate approaches

100%, largely due to difficulties in diagnosing the disease reliably

and in a timely manner, before fungal proliferation becomes

overwhelming. Early diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and

can mean the difference between life and death.

About ABELCET (amphotericin B lipid complex injection)

ABELCET was approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

(FDA) in November 1995. It is a lipid-based formulation of

amphotericin B. Abelcet is the market leader among the 3 commercially

available lipid-based formulations of amphotericin B. ABELCET offers

clinicians the efficacy of amphotericin B combined with a greatly

improved safety profile. ABELCET is indicated for the treatment of

invasive fungal infections in patients who are refractory to or

intolerant of conventional amphotericin B therapy. The adverse events

most commonly reported with ABELCET are transient chills and/or fever

during infusion of the drug. ABELCET is contraindicated in patients

who have shown hypersensitivity to amphotericin B or any other

component in the formulation. Please see full prescribing information

before using ABELCET or any product mentioned in this press release.

About Bio-Rad Laboratories

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (www.bio-rad.com) is a multinational

manufacturer and distributor of life science research products and

clinical diagnostics. It is based in Hercules, CA, and serves more

than 70,000 research and industry customers worldwide through a

network of more than 30 wholly owned subsidiary offices.

About Enzon Pharmaceuticals

Enzon Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the

discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutics to treat

life-threatening diseases. The company has developed or acquired a

number of marketed products, including PEG-INTRON, marketed by

Schering-Plough, and ABELCET, which is marketed in North America by

Enzon. Enzon's science-focused strategy includes an extensive drug

development program that leverages the Company's macromolecular

engineering platform, including PEG modification and single-chain

antibody (SCA®) technologies. Internal research and development

efforts are complemented by strategic transactions that provide

access to additional products, projects, and technologies. Enzon has

several drug candidates in various stages of development,

independently and with partners.

There are forward-looking statements contained herein that are not

based on historical fact, including without limitation statements

containing the

words " believes, " " may, " " plans, " " will, " " estimate, " " continue, " " ant

icipates, " " intends, " " expects, " and similar expressions. Such

forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,

uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events

or developments to be materially different from the future results,

events or developments discussed above. Such factors include those

described in the Company's Form 10-K and Forms 10-Q on file with the

SEC, including without limitation, Enzon's ability to continue to

increase ABELCET's share of the antifungal market and to sustain such

increased market share and to successfully market its proprietary

products; market acceptance of and continuing demand for Enzon's

products; the uncertainty of the timing and results of clinical

trials and the impact of competitive products and pricing. All

information in this press release is as of February 2, 2004, and the

Company undertakes no duty to update this information.

This release is also available at http://www.enzon.com