Enzo partners with government agency on eye drug

Enzo Biochem will work with National Eye Institute on inflammation drug candidate Optiquel

• On 2:52 pm EDT, Monday September 21, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) -- Enzo Biochem Inc. said Monday it will work with the National Eye Institute to test Enzo's drug candidate Optiquel, which is intended to treat chronic inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.

Enzo said it entered a cooperative research and development agreement with the institute. Enzo and the National Eye Institute will share funding for a human trial of Optiquel, which is an oral drug intended to treat chronic autoimmune uveitis -- a condition in which the immune system attacks the uvea.

The National Eye Institute is part of the National Institute of Health.

The trial will test the safety and effectiveness of Optiquel, Enzo said, and the agreement also includes non-clinical research into other compounds. In afternoon trading, Enzo shares dipped 10 cents to $6.98.

The company said around 280,000 Americans have autoimmune uveitis, and the disease is associated with 30,000 cases of blindness per year. Enzo said chronic autoimmune uveitis is often treated with drugs such as steroids, which suppress the immune system, but their side effects can include glaucoma and cataracts.

Enzo said Optiquel has received orphan drug status in Europe and it expects it to receive the same designation in the U.S. Orphan drugs are intended to treat rare diseases, and have long-lasting marketing exclusivity.

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