All amounts are in U.S. dollars
QUÉBEC CITY, Dec. 1, 2014 /CNW
Telbec/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the
"Company") and Sinopharm A-Think Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
("SinopharmA-Think") today announced the signing of an exclusive
license and technology transfer agreement, for the Company's lead
anti-cancer compound, zoptarelin doxorubicin, for the initial
indication of endometrial cancer, for the Chinese, Hong Kong and Macau markets (the "Territory"). Zoptarelin
doxorubicin, a novel synthetic peptide carrier linked to
doxorubicin, is currently in a ZoptEC
(Zoptarelin doxorubicin in Endometrial Cancer)
Phase 3 trial in endometrial cancer.
Under the terms of the Master Collaboration Agreement, Aeterna
Zentaris will be entitled to receive a non‑refundable $1 million fee for the transfer of the Company's
technology for zoptarelin doxorubicin to SinopharmA-Think.
SinopharmA-Think has also agreed to make additional payments to the
Company upon achieving certain pre-established regulatory and
commercial milestones. Furthermore, the Company will receive
royalties on future net sales of zoptarelin doxorubicin in the
Territory. SinopharmA-Think will be responsible for the
development, production, registration and commercialization of the
product in the Territory.
David Dodd, Chairman and CEO at
Aeterna Zentaris stated, "We are very excited regarding this
agreement for zoptarelin doxorubicin with Sinopharm, the largest
pharmaceutical company in China,
which is one of the major domestic markets in the world for
pharmaceutical products. Women with advanced endometrial cancer are
in need of additional treatments, and zoptarelin doxorubicin might
prove to be a significant treatment option for them. This agreement
is also consistent with our strategy of leveraging our pipeline to
secure future revenues with strategic development and commercial
licensees for specific regions of the world."
Dr. Jia Zhidan, General Manager of Sinopharm A-Think, similarly
indicated that, "We believe zoptarelin doxorubicin can pioneer the
use of conjugate technology in advanced endometrial cancer, as
earlier clinical development with this product has shown
encouraging data in overall survival and tolerability. We also
believe that zoptarelin doxorubicin has the potential to become our
star product in the future. As an enterprise committed to building
up a professional anti-cancer platform, we would like to look for
additional promising products such as zoptarelin doxorubicin, and
are more than willing to cooperate with excellent companies such as
Aeterna Zentaris. We hope to engage additional cooperation
opportunities in the future, benefitting more cancer patients."
About Zoptarelin Doxorubicin
Zoptarelin doxorubicin represents a new targeting concept in
oncology using a hybrid molecule composed of a synthetic peptide
carrier and a well-known chemotherapy agent, doxorubicin.
Zoptarelin doxorubicin is the first intravenous drug in advanced
clinical development that directs the chemotherapy agent
specifically to LHRH-receptor expressing tumors, resulting in a
more targeted treatment with less damage to healthy tissue. The
Company is currently conducting a ZoptEC
(Zoptarelin doxorubicin in Endometrial Cancer)
Phase 3 trial in women with advanced, recurrent or metastatic
endometrial cancer, while zoptarelin doxorubicin is also in an
investigator-initiated Phase 2 trial in prostate cancer. Aeterna
Zentaris owns the worldwide (ex-China, Hong
Kong and Macau) rights to
this compound.
About Sinopharm A-Think Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
("SinopharmA-Think")
China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation ("Sinopharm") is
the largest medical and healthcare group in China and on the Global Fortune 500 list,
which is directly managed by the State-owned Assets Supervision and
Administration Commission of the State Council ("SASAC"), with the
core businesses of distribution, logistics, retail, scientific
research and manufacturing of healthcare related products. In 2013,
the gross revenue of Sinopharm exceeded $33.3 billion. For more information, visit
www.sinopharm.com.
Sinopharm A-Think is a subsidiary of Sinopharm. Sinipharm
A-Think focuses on the development of injectable anti-tumor and
anti-hepatitis products, and is the only integrated platform for
R&D and manufacturing of anti-tumor and anti-virus drugs within
Sinopharm, with a complete system of anti-cancer drug R&D,
manufacturing and sales throughout China.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company
engaged in developing and commercializing novel treatments in
oncology, endocrinology and women's health. For more information,
visit www.aezsinc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the US 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 US
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.