Enzon Inc. announced Wednesday that it has licensed its single-chain antigen-binding (SCA) protein technology to Cell GenesysInc. for use in Cell Genesys' universal receptor program.

Cell Genesys is the sixth licensee of the SCA technology. Othercompanies that have rights to it are Neoprobe Corp., CreativeBiomolecules Inc., Oncologix Inc., Baxter International Inc. andCytoclonal Pharmaceuticals Inc. Enzon (NASDAQ:ENZN) obtainedthe technology through its acquisition of Genex Corp. in 1991.

SCA proteins are engineered forms of monoclonal antibodiesthat include the light and heavy antigen binding regions of themonoclonal connected with a peptide linker. Enzon's vicepresident of business development, Doug Hulse, explained thatan SCA protein is the smallest element of the monoclonal thatincludes the binding portion only, without the constant region.He said it can be fermented in e. coli or yeast and utilized witha fusion protein.

Under the agreement, Enzon, of Piscataway, N.J., will receive aninitial payment, milestone payments and royalties on sales ofCell Genesys products that contain an SCA protein.

Cell Genesys' universal receptor program involves geneticallymodifying T cells with novel cell-surface receptors that allowthe T cells to recognize specific disease targets in multiplepatients with the disease. "Without these universal receptors,the T cells would be able to recognize the disease target only inthe individual from whom the cells were derived, or in closelyrelated individuals," Enzon stated. -- Brenda Sandburg

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