New cytotoxic conjugates and diagnostic tools to be developed
to expand AEZS-108 technology platform
All amounts are in US dollars
QUEBEC CITY, March 24 /PRNewswire/
- Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the
"Company") today announced that it has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the German Ministry of
Education and Research to develop, up to the clinical stage,
cytotoxic conjugates of the proprietary cytotoxic compound
disorazol Z and peptides targeting G-protein coupled receptors,
including the LHRH receptors. The compounds being developed will
combine the targeting principle successfully employed in Phase 2
with AEZS-108 (doxorubicin and LHRH-receptor targeting agent) with
the novel cytotoxic disorazol Z. Furthermore, diagnostic tools
systematically assessing the receptor expression in tumor specimens
will be developed to allow the future selection of patients and
tumor types with the highest chance of benefitting from this
personalized medicine approach. The grant will be payable as a
partial reimbursement of qualifying expenditures over a three-year
period.
The qualified project will be performed with Morphisto GmbH and
the Helmholtz Institute in Saarbrücken, Germany, which will receive additional funding
of approximately $0.7 million.
Researchers from the department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at
both the University of Göttingen and Würzburg, Germany, will also be part of the
collaboration.
Juergen Engel, Ph.D. and CEO of
Aeterna Zentaris Inc. stated, "This $1.5
million grant for the development of our disorazol Z
conjugates is further acknowledgement of our innovative targeting
concept. Using this funding, we will be able, with the help of our
highly qualified partners, to rapidly translate this technology
into the clinical setting and will expand our AEZS-108 technology
platform."
About Disorazol Conjugates
Disorazol Z is a bacterially produced compound with cytotoxic
activity in the sub-nanomolar range. The proof-of-concept of
LHRH-receptor targeting disorazol Z conjugates for the treatment of
ovarian cancer has already been demonstrated in a xenograft mouse
model.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a late-stage oncology drug development
company currently investigating potential treatments for various
cancers including colorectal, ovarian, endometrial cancer and
multiple myeloma. The Company's innovative approach of
"personalized medicine" means tailoring treatments to a patient's
specific condition and to unmet medical needs. Aeterna Zentaris'
deep pipeline is drawn from its proprietary discovery unit
providing the Company with constant and long-term access to
state-of-the-art therapeutic options. For more information please
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 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.