Collaboration is part of Aeterna Zentaris' personalized medicine
approach for AEZS-108 as a treatment for multiple cancers
QUÉBEC CITY, Jan. 5, 2012
/PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ)
(the "Company") today announced that it entered into a
collaboration agreement with Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a
member of the Roche Group, to develop a companion diagnostic for
the immunohistochemical determination of luteinizing
hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) receptor expression, for the
Company's doxorubicin LHRH targeted conjugate compound, AEZS-108.
In humans, LHRH receptors are expressed in a significant proportion
of endometrial, ovarian, breast, bladder, prostate and pancreatic
tumors. AEZS-108 specifically targets LHRH receptors and therefore,
could prove to be more efficient in treating patients with these
types of LHRH-receptor positive cancers. Phase 2 trials with
AEZS-108 for LHRH-receptor positive advanced endometrial and
ovarian cancer have recently been successfully completed.
Juergen Engel, Ph.D., President
and CEO of Aeterna Zentaris stated, "We are very pleased with the
collaboration with Ventana, because of their expertise in the
development and commercialization of companion diagnostic tools.
AEZS-108 is a promising anticancer compound as demonstrated by the
positive final Phase 2 results in LHRH-receptor expressing
endometrial and ovarian cancer. The VENTANA state-of-the-art
companion diagnostic tool will allow us to develop improved methods
for the selection of patients to be treated with AEZS-108, in order
to enhance the efficiency of our clinical trials and help us with
the future successful development of AEZS-108 in a number of
different LHRH-expressing cancers."
President of Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., Mara G. Aspinall, added, "We are pleased to be
the companion diagnostic partner of choice for Aeterna Zentaris to
collaborate on this important project. The plan to develop a
companion diagnostic for AEZS-108 shows that our companies are well
aligned with a clear commitment to advancing personalized
healthcare to improve the lives of patients afflicted with
cancer."
About AEZS-108
AEZS-108 represents a new targeting concept in oncology using a
hybrid molecule composed of a synthetic peptide carrier and a
well-known chemotherapy agent, doxorubicin. AEZS-108 is the first
intravenous drug in a clinical study that directs the chemotherapy
agent specifically to LHRH-receptor expressing tumors, resulting in
more targeted treatment with less damage to healthy tissue. The
product has successfully completed Phase 2 studies for the
treatment of endometrial and ovarian cancer, and is also in Phase 2
trials in prostate and bladder cancer. A pivotal trial in
endometrial cancer is expected to be initiated in the first half of
2012. AEZS-108 has been granted orphan-drug designation by the FDA
and orphan medicinal product designation from the European
Medicines Agency for the treatment of ovarian cancer. An
Investigational New Drug in the U.S. is in place for the treatment
of prostate, bladder and triple-negative breast cancer. Aeterna
Zentaris owns the worldwide rights to AEZS-108.
About Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. ("VMSI") (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX:
RHHBY), a member of the Roche Group, innovates and manufactures
instruments and reagents that automate tissue processing and slide
staining for cancer diagnostics. VENTANA solutions are used in
clinical histology and drug development research laboratories
worldwide. The company's intuitive, integrated staining, workflow
management platforms, and digital pathology solutions optimize
laboratory efficiencies to reduce errors, support diagnosis and
inform treatment decisions for anatomic pathology professionals.
Together with Roche, VMSI is driving personalized medicine through
accelerated drug discovery and the development of companion
diagnostics to identify the patients most likely to respond
favorably to specific therapies. Visit www.ventana.com to learn
more.
VENTANA is a trademark of Roche.
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.