Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. said early Thursday the Food and Drug Administration completed a review of its request to start clinical trials in humans on rhMBL to treat severe infections.

The compound, recombinant human Mannose-Binding Lectin, is under review for a clinical trial to test safety and effectiveness in treating severe infections in patients with low levels of MBL undergoing liver transplant treatment. MBL is a human plasma protein with anti-microbial properties which helps fight infections.

The FDA has already approved the company's application for another study of the compound, one aimed at studying the prevention of severe infections in patients with multiple myeloma with low levels of MBL undergoing chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplants.

Enrollment in the liver transplant and multiple myeloma studies is expected to begin later this year.