QUÉBEC CITY, April 2, 2012
/PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ)
(the "Company") today announced that the Phase 3 "X-PECT" (Xeloda®
+ Perifosine Evaluation in Colorectal cancer Treatment) clinical
trial evaluating perifosine + capecitabine (Xeloda®) in patients
with refractory advanced colorectal cancer did not meet the primary
endpoint of improving overall survival versus capecitabine +
placebo. The trial involving 468 patients in 65 sites in the U.S
was conducted by the Company's North American licensee partner,
Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: KERX).
Juergen Engel, Ph.D., Aeterna
Zentaris President and Chief Executive Officer, commented,
"Although we are obviously very disappointed that the trial did not
meet its primary endpoint, I would like to thank all those involved
in this trial for their dedicated work. We are currently conducting
further data analyses in collaboration with our licensee partners,
in order to determine the future development strategy for
perifosine. Our other ongoing late-stage programs with AEZS-108 and
AEZS-130, as well as earlier-stage programs from our deep pipeline
will continue as planned, with a sufficient cash position to pursue
these programs for more than the next 12 months."
The Company will host a conference call and webcast later today,
Monday, April 2, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern). Participants may access the
live webcast through the Company's website at www.aezsinc.com in
the "Newsroom" section, or by telephone: in Canada, (514) 807-9895 or (647) 427-7450,
outside Canada, (888) 231-8191. A
replay of the webcast will also be available on the Company's
website for a period of 15 days.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a late-stage oncology drug development
company currently investigating potential treatments for various
cancers. 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.