AEZS Aeterna Zentaris Inc

QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ:AEZSNASDAQ:TSX:NASDAQ:AEZ), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today announced the completion of patient recruitment for the Company's European multi-center Phase 2 trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with its novel, first-in-class, oral signal transduction inhibitor, perifosine. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will assess the efficacy and safety of a 150 mg daily dose of perifosine when combined with radiotherapy in 160 patients with inoperable Stage III NSCLC. David J. Mazzo, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer at Aeterna Zentaris said, "We are pleased to have completed enrollment for our Phase 2 trial with perifosine in combination with radiotherapy. Patients will be followed for a one-year period after receiving treatment, and therefore, we expect to announce top-line results at the end of 2008." About the Phase 2 Trial Patients receive perifosine daily for 5 to 6 weeks, starting seven days prior to radiotherapy, and are followed for at least 12 months. The primary endpoint of this trial is the extent and duration of local control, i.e., the absence of tumor recurrence or progression in the area that has been irradiated. The trial is being conducted in collaboration with the Netherlands Cancer Institute. The lead investigator is Marcel Verheij, MD, Ph.D., of the Department of Radiation Oncology / Division of Cellular Biochemistry, at The Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam. About Perifosine Perifosine is a novel, first-in-class, oral anti-cancer agent that modulates several key signal transduction pathways, including Akt, MAPK, and JNK that have been shown to be critical for the survival of cancer cells. Perifosine has demonstrated single agent anti-tumor activity in Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies and is currently being studied as a single agent and in combination with several forms of anti-cancer treatments for various forms of cancer. Perifosine is licensed to Keryx Biopharmaceuticals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. About Aeterna Zentaris Inc. Aeterna Zentaris Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology with proven expertise in drug discovery, development and commercialization. News releases and additional information are available at http://www.aeternazentaris.com/. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which 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 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 the 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 except if we are requested by a governmental authority or applicable law. DATASOURCE: AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. CONTACT: Jenene Thomas, Senior Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, (908) 938-1475, ; Paul Burroughs, Media Relations, (418) 652-8525 ext. 406,

Copyright