QUÉBEC CITY, April 9, 2014
/PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ)
(the "Company") today announced that a poster on AEZS-134, a highly
potent and selective ATP competitive Erk inhibitor, provides
rationale for new therapeutic opportunities in oncology with this
compound. The poster, titled, "Erk Inhibition as a Therapeutic
Option for the Treatment of Raf- and Mek- Inhibitor Resistant
Tumors", I. Seipelt, P. Schmidt, H. Märzhäuser, M. Gerlach, K.
Jung, T. Schuster and M. Teifel, was presented yesterday by
Irene Seipelt, Ph. D., Director,
Preclinical Development at Aeterna Zentaris, during a poster
session at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual
Meeting in San Diego,
California.
Richard Sachse, MD, Aeterna
Zentaris' CSO/CMO, commented, "Our abstract on AEZS-134 drew a high
level of attention at AACR, as participants of a session on the
most exciting recent developments in RAS/RAF/EGFR research, placed
it among 11 high-impact abstracts out of the hundreds on this
topic. The preclinical data presented yesterday, suggests that Erk
inhibitors such as AEZS-134 may provide a treatment option for
patients suffering from tumors which are resistant to currently
established therapies such as B-Raf and Mek inhibitors. Following
these encouraging preclinical data, we are currently evaluating
further development of this compound class."
Introduction
The MAPK pathway represents a prime target for therapeutic
intervention in cancer. Recent approvals demonstrate significant
antitumor activities and survival benefits for B-Raf and Mek
inhibitors. However the observation of resistance to such Raf and
Mek inhibitors has been documented in both clinical and preclinical
trials. These phenomena led to the suggestion to target the
downstream kinase Erk to overcome such resistance.
Results and Conclusions
Data demonstrate that Erk inhibitors result in efficient growth
inhibition of tumor cells that are resistant to Raf and Mek
inhibitors. AEZS-134, a highly potent and selective ATP competitive
Erk inhibitor, overcomes the Raf inhibitor-induced paradoxical cell
activation and the acquired resistance to Mek inhibitors in various
tumor cell lines.
The data provide a rationale for new therapeutic opportunities
by using Erk inhibitors in oncology. In order to maximize
therapeutic benefit for patients, targeting Erk may be more
effective than targeting Raf or Mek in a variety of MAPK resistance
settings. AEZS-134 and related compounds provide potent and
selective tools to help address this question.
To consult a copy of the poster, please click here.
About AEZS-134
AEZS-134 is an integral part of the Company's kinase research
program comprising the investigation of different compounds for
single Erk inhibition, single PI3K inhibition and
dual Erk/PI3K kinase inhibition. AEZS-134 selectively inhibits
the kinase activity of Erk. AEZS-134 was discovered using the
Company's proprietary compound library and high throughput
screening technology. AEZS-134 is available for partnering.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company
engaged in developing novel treatments in oncology and
endocrinology. The Company's pipeline encompasses compounds at
various stages of development. For more information, visit
www.aezsinc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements made
pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the
Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include,
among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue
R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical
studies, the risk that safety and efficacy data from any of our
Phase 3 trials may not coincide with the data analyses from
previously reported Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 clinical trials, the
ability of the Company to efficiently commercialize one or more of
its products or product candidates, the ability of the Company to
take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical
industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and
general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult
the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and
U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and
uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements. Investors are
cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The
Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking
statements. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors
or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future
results, events or developments, unless required to do so by a
governmental authority or by applicable law.
SOURCE Aeterna Zentaris Inc.