QUÉBEC CITY, Aug. 7, 2012
/PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ)
(the "Company") today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office
has granted a patent for the use of its oral ghrelin agonist,
AEZS-130 (EP1572) as a diagnostic test for adult growth hormone
deficiency (AGHD). Filed on February 19,
2007, the patent (US 8,192,719 B2) titled, "Methods and
Kits to Diagnose Growth Hormone Deficiency by Oral Administration
of EP1572 or EP1573 Compounds", became effective as of
June 5, 2012, and will expire on
October 12, 2027. The corresponding
composition of matter patent (US 6,861,409 B2), filed on
June 13, 2001 and granted on
March 1, 2005, will expire on
August 1, 2022, with the possibility
of a patent term extension of up to 5 years.
Juergen Engel, PhD, President and
CEO of Aeterna Zentaris stated, "This patent, along with our recent
Fast Track designation request, represent important steps in our
strategy aimed at bringing AEZS-130 to market in the most favorable
conditions. There is no approved diagnostic test for AGHD in
North America, and we believe
AEZS-130 could provide a safe, effective and convenient oral test
for this indication."
About AGHD
AGHD affects 35,000 adult Americans, with 6,000 new adult
patients diagnosed each year. Growth hormone not only plays an
important role in growth from childhood to adulthood, but helps
promote good health throughout life. AGHD is usually characterized
by low energy levels, decreased strength and exercise tolerance,
increased weight or difficulty losing weight, emotional changes,
anxiety and impaired sleep.
About AEZS-130
AEZS-130, a ghrelin agonist, is a novel orally-active small
molecule that stimulates the secretion of growth hormone. The
Company has completed a Phase 3 trial for use as an oral diagnostic
test for AGHD. AEZS-130 has been granted orphan drug designation by
the FDA for use in this indication. AEZS-130 is also in a Phase 2A
trial as a treatment for cancer-induced cachexia. Aeterna Zentaris
owns the worldwide rights to AEZS-130.
About Aeterna Zentaris
Aeterna Zentaris is an oncology and endocrinology drug
development company currently investigating treatments for various
unmet medical needs. The Company's pipeline encompasses compounds
at all stages of development, from drug discovery through to
marketed products. 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.