Enzo Biochem (ENZ)

[Joemoney]

Enzo reports benefits in Phase II for hepatitis drug

NEW YORK, Oct. 12 (Reuters) Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ - news), a developer of genetically engineered health-care products on Friday said a drug for treating sufferers of chronic hepatitis B has shown benefits in 75 percent of infected subjects in Phase II clinical trials.

The New York-based company said data from a clinical trial indicated that individuals treated with the oral immune regulation therapy for hepatis B virus (HBV) showed improvement in key indicators of liver inflammation.

Other improvements occurred in biopsy results, HBV viral load, liver enzymes and histology, the company said.

Decreases in HBV viral load and improvement in liver function tests were observed in 46 percent of the trial subjects. Biopsy scores improved in 58 percent of the subjects, and histological improvement in liver necroinflammatory score was registered in 33 percent.

The safety data indicate that the drug, designated EHT899, was well tolerated in all subjects, Enzo said, adding the trial involved 42 individuals who were treated orally with EHT899 three times a week for 20 to 30 weeks, and followed for an additional 20 more weeks. The trial is ongoing and the subjects are continually being evaluated. Enzo shares closed on Thursday at $19.85 on the New York Stock Exchange.

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