SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) JANUARY 11, 1996
ENZON, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 0-12957 22-237286
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification)
20 KINGSBRIDGE ROAD, PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY 08854
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (908) 980-4500
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
Enzon, Inc. ("Enzon" or the "Company") announced it has received
two additional United States patents for its hemoglobin-based oxygen
carrier, PEG-hemoglobin, which has potential application in cancer therapy,
trauma situations and elective surgery.
PEG-hemoglobin is bovine hemoglobin chemically modified by the
Company's exclusive PEG-technology. The attachment of PEG (polyethylene
glycol) extends the blood circulating life of a protein, while decreasing
the patient's natural immune reaction to the protein.
U.S. Patent No. 5,478,806, "Enhancement of Anti-Tumor Therapy
with Hemoglobin-Based Conjugates", covers tumor radiosensitization with
PEG-hemoglobin, regardless of source of hemoglobin or type of PEG
conjugate. Radiosensitization is the process of delivering oxygen to solid
tumors to enhance response to radiation therapy. Approximately 800,000
cases of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year involve solid tumors
treated with radiation. In September 1995, Enzon completed a clinical
trial with 28 healthy volunteers who received up to 45 grams of PEG-
hemoglobin -- which is equivalent to 1.5 units of blood and exceeds the
dosage required for radiosensitization. Enzon has begun recruitment for a
multi-dose, multi-center clinical trial of PEG-hemoglobin in cancer
patients receiving radiation therapy.
In the new trial, patients will receive a once-a-week dose of
PEG-hemoglobin for each five days of radiation treatment during a three-
week therapy program. The Company believes that a sufficient amount of
PEG-hemoglobin will remain in the blood to properly oxygenate tumors and
optimize radiation during the five day course of treatment.
U.S. Patent No. 5,478,805, "Fractionation of Polyalkylene Oxide-
Conjugated Hemoglobin Solutions", covers a method of simultaneously
fractionating and purifying PEG-hemoglobin conjugates. Enzon has received
other patents on PEG-hemoglobin covering compositions, methods of use and
purification and manufacturing processes.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: April 30, 1996
ENZON, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/KENNETH J. ZUERBLIS
Kenneth J. Zuerblis
Vice President, Finance
and Chief Financial
Officer