Enzon Inc. and Schering Corp., a subsidiary of Schering-PloughCorp., said they have begun Phase I trials on a longer-lastingversion of Intron A, Schering's genetically engineered anti-cancer and anti-viral drug.

Intron A has been conjugated to polyethylene glycol throughEnzon's Pegnology drug delivery technology, which extends thetime therapeutic proteins stay in the blood, said Enzon. TheSouth Plainfield, N.J., company expects the combination therapyto last longer in the body than Intron A alone, allowingphysicians to administer fewer and possibly smaller doses.

Enzon and Schering entered into a product development andlicensing agreement for PEG-Intron A in November 1990.

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