Conference Call With Principal Investigators to be Held Tomorrow
Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENZN) today announced that it has
opened its first Phase II trial for PEG-SN38 (EZN-2208), its novel
proprietary cancer compound. The trial is open at multiple centers
throughout the United States for patients diagnosed with metastatic
colon cancer.
“We are pleased to have the first PEG-SN38 Phase II trial open in early
summer as promised,” said Jeffrey H. Buchalter, Enzon's chairman and
chief executive officer. “We are encouraged by the safety profile in the
Phase I trials and are looking forward to this next phase of
development.”
Two Phase I studies were conducted evaluating different dosing schedules
of PEG-SN38. The dose limiting toxicity was febrile neutropenia. No
cumulative toxicity was reported. A recommended Phase II dose was
established in April 2009.
“We are very excited to have played a key role in the Phase I testing of
this novel cancer compound and are very interested to see its continued
development,” stated Dr. Anthony Tolcher, a leading principal
investigator in the Phase I trials from START (South Texas Accelerated
Research Therapeutics) in San Antonio, Texas.
On Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. ET, Enzon will host a conference
call with two of its clinical investigators to discuss PEG-SN38. Dr.
Anthony Tolcher, who has experience in the Phase I trials, will
participate on the call. Additionally, Dr. Richard Goldberg of The
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the lead principal
investigator in the Phase II trial, will be available to provide their
perspective and answer questions on PEG-SN38. The conference call
details are provided below.
Conference Call
Enzon will be hosting a conference call June 23rd at 2:00 pm ET. All
interested parties may access the call by using the following
information:
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Domestic Dial-In Number:
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(877) 407-0782
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International Dial-In Number:
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(201) 689-8567
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Access Code:
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Enzon
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For those parties unable to listen at the time of Enzon’s conference
call, a telephone rebroadcast will be available following the call from
June 23, 2009, at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET. This rebroadcast will end
on June 30, 2009, at approximately 12:00 a.m. ET. The rebroadcast may be
accessed using the following information:
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Domestic Dial-In Number:
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(877) 660-6853
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International Dial-In Number:
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(201) 612-7415
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Account Number:
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286
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Access Code:
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326542
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About PEG-SN38
SN38 is the active metabolite of the widely used cancer drug irinotecan
(also CPT-11), marketed as Camptosar® in the U.S. Although
unmodified SN38 is 1,000 times more potent than CPT-11, it has not been
converted into a viable drug candidate because of its insolubility.
Using Enzon's proprietary PEGylation technology, the Company developed
PEG-SN38 (EZN-2208), which results in a compound with excellent
pharmaceutical properties as shown in animal models: increased
solubility, higher exposure, and longer half-life than unmodified SN38.
About Enzon
Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to
developing, manufacturing and commercializing important medicines for
patients with cancer and other life-threatening conditions. The Company
has a portfolio of four marketed products, Oncaspar®, DepoCyt®,
Abelcet® and Adagen®. Enzon’s drug development
programs utilize several cutting-edge approaches, including its
industry-leading PEGylation technology platform and the Locked Nucleic
Acid (LNA) technology. Enzon’s PEGylation technology was used to develop
two of its products, Oncaspar and Adagen, and has created a royalty
revenue stream from licensing partnerships for other products developed
using the technology. Enzon also engages in contract manufacturing for
several pharmaceutical companies to broaden its revenue base. Further
information about Enzon and this press release can be found on the
Company’s web site at www.enzon.com.
Forward Looking Statements
There are forward-looking statements contained herein, which can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words
"believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should,” "potential,"
"anticipates," "plans" or "intends" 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 indicated in such forward-looking statements. Such
factors include, but are not limited to the timing, success and cost of
clinical studies; the ability to obtain regulatory approval of products,
market acceptance of, and continuing demand for, Enzon’s products and
the impact of competitive products and pricing. A more detailed
discussion of these and other factors that could affect results is
contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008. These factors should be considered carefully
and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such
forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the
future results covered by the forward-looking statements will be
achieved. All information in this press release is as of the date of
this press release and Enzon does not intend to update this information.
Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Craig Tooman, 908-541-8777
EVP,
Finance and Chief
Financial Officer