Enzon, Inc. is involved in the development of therapeutic enzymes for human and veterinary use. Many enzymes have shown effectiveness as anticancer agents on initial injection, but their immunogenicity and short plasma half-life have prevented exploitation of their potential. Enzon, Inc. will modify two glutaminase-asparaginases and a histidase using a patented company process to produce enzyme-polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugates with vastly improved plasma half-lives and greatly reduced immunogenicities. These PEG enzymes can be injected repeatedly so that their full therapeutic potential can be realized. Enzon, Inc. will perform plasma half-life and initial toxicological studies on the three PEG enzymes.The long-term objective is to obtain Investigational New Drug (IND) approval and commence clinical studies. These enzymes are the forerunners of a larger group of nonessential and essential amino acid-degrading enzymes that will be developed as therapeutic agents for various types of cancer.National Cancer Institute (NCI)
