QUÉBEC CITY, Dec. 5, 2011
/PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ)
(the "Company") today announced the following presentations on
perifosine, its novel, oral anticancer Akt inhibitor, at the
upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and
Exposition, which will be held December 10
-13, 2011, at the San Diego
Convention Center in San Diego,
California:
Abstract
#815: |
"Perifosine Plus Bortezomib and
Dexamethasone in Relapsed/ Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients
Previously Treated with Bortezomib & nbsp; Final Results of a
Phase 1/2 Trial" |
|
P.G. Richardson, J.L. Wolf, A.J.
Jakubowiak, J.A. Zonder, S. Lonial, D. Irwin, J. Densmore, A.
Krishnan, N.S. Raje, M.H. Bar, R. Schlossman, I.M. Ghobrial, N.C.
Munshi, T. Martin, J.P. Laubach, J.P Allerton, T. Hideshima, P.
Sportelli, L. Gardner, and K.C. Anderson |
|
(oral presentation) |
Presenter: |
Paul Richardson, MD, Clinical
Director of the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. |
Session
653: |
Myeloma - Therapy, Excluding
Transplantation: Novel Drugs in Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma
Patients |
Date and
time: |
Monday, December 12, 2011, at 5:30
p.m. (Pacific) |
Venue: |
Ballroom 20D, San Diego Convention
Center |
|
|
Abstract
#1653: |
"Preclinical Rationale
for the Use of Combined Treatment with the Akt Inhibitor Perifosine
and the Multikinase Inhibitor Sorafenib in Hodgkin
Lymphoma", Locatelli S.L., Giacomini A.,
Guidetti A., Cleris L., Magni M., Di Nicola M., Mortarini R.,
Gianni A.M., Anichini A., Carlo-Stella C. |
Presenter: |
Silvia Locatelli, PhD, Fondazione
IRCCS Instituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy |
Session
625: |
Lymphoma - Pre-Clinical -
Chemotherapy and Biologic Agents: Poster I |
Date and
time: |
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 5:30
p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) |
Venue: |
Hall GH, San Diego Convention
Center |
|
|
Abstract
#3705: |
"Phosphorylation Levels
of Extracellular-Signal Regulated Kinase (Erk) and Akt in
Circulating Lymphocytes Predict Response to Targeted Therapy with
Kinase Inhibitors in Refractory/Relapsed Hodgkin Lymphoma
Patients", A. Guidetti, S. Locatelli, S. Viviani,
A. Dodero, L. Farina, D. Russo, P. Bulian, R. Sorasio, M. Di
Nicola, P. Corradini, A. Anichini, A. M. Gianni, C.
Carmello-Stella |
Presenter: |
Anna Guidetti, MD, Fondazione
IRCCS Instituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy |
Session
624: |
Lymphoma - Therapy with Biologic
Agents, excluding Pre-Clinical Models: Poster III |
Date and time: |
Monday, December 12, 2011, 6
p.m. - 8 p.m. (Pacific) |
Venue: |
Hall GH, San Diego Convention
Center |
A copy of the above referenced abstracts can be viewed online
through the ASH meeting website,
http://ash.confex.com/ash/2011/webprogram/start.html.
About Perifosine
Perifosine is a novel, oral anticancer treatment that inhibits
Akt activation in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. The
product works by interfering with membranes of cancer cells thereby
inhibiting Akt signaling which then affects cell death, growth,
differentiation and survival. Perifosine, in combination with
chemotherapeutic agents, is currently being studied for the
treatment of colorectal cancer, multiple myeloma and other cancers,
and is the most advanced anticancer agent of its class. Perifosine,
as monotherapy, is being explored in other indications. The FDA has
granted perifosine orphan-drug designation in multiple myeloma and
neuroblastoma, and Fast Track designations in both multiple myeloma
and refractory advanced colorectal cancer. Additionally, an
agreement was reached with the FDA to conduct the Phase 3 trials in
both of these indications under a Special Protocol Assessment.
Perifosine has also been granted orphan medicinal product
designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in multiple
myeloma. Furthermore, perifosine has received positive Scientific
Advice from the EMA for both the multiple myeloma and advanced
colorectal cancer programs, with ongoing Phase 3 trials for these
indications expected to be sufficient for registration in
Europe. Perifosine rights have
been licensed to Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: KERX) for
North America, to Yakult Honsha
for Japan, to Handok for Korea and
to Hikma Pharmaceuticals for the Middle
East and North Africa
(MENA) region.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a late-stage oncology drug development
company currently investigating potential treatments for various
cancers including colorectal, multiple myeloma, endometrial,
ovarian, prostate and bladder cancer. 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 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 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.