All amounts are in US dollars
QUÉBEC CITY, Nov. 1,
2013 /PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS)
(TSX: AEZ) (the "Company") today announced the appointment of
Jude Dinges as Senior Vice
President, Chief Commercial Officer, thus reaffirming its new
vision of becoming a specialty biopharmaceutical commercially
operating company.
"Over the last few months, we have conducted an
in-depth review of our R&D and corporate activities. This has
led to a comprehensive strategic growth plan focused on achieving
our goal of transforming Aeterna Zentaris into a biopharmaceutical
operating company through the commercialization of our pipeline, as
well as through actively pursuing in-licensing and acquisition
opportunities", said David Dodd,
President and CEO of Aeterna Zentaris. "Jude's appointment is in
line with this new vision. His more than 30 years experience in
pharmaceutical and biologics commercial development will be very
valuable as we are in the process of bringing macimorelin acetate
to market as the first approved oral product for evaluating growth
hormone deficiency in adults. He will also be responsible for
future commercial opportunities with a view of ensuring sustained
growth. We are delighted that Jude is joining our management team,
and we look forward to his contributions to our growth and
development."
Jude Dinges added,
"I'm very excited to join the Aeterna Zentaris team at this
important time in its history. With a near-term NDA filing, a
promising oncology pipeline and a talented leadership team, I feel
Aeterna Zentaris holds great promise as a commercial entity,
offering solutions to the unmet medical needs of patients and the
healthcare professionals who serve them."
New Strategic Vision
- Focus on the successful development and commercialization of
Company pipeline:
-
- Macimorelin acetate (AEZS-130)
-
- Submission of NDA to the FDA as the first approved oral product
for the evaluation of adult growth hormone deficiency
- Preparation for its commercial launch (sales and marketing
strategy)
- Commercial launch and brand development
- Zoptarelin doxorubicin (AEZS-108)
-
- Increased efforts regarding patient enrollment for Phase 3
ZoptEC (Zoptarelin doxorubicin in Endometrial
Cancer) trial in women with endometrial cancer resistant to
platinum/taxane-based chemotherapy
- Co-development agreement with Ergomed as CRO who has agreed to
assume 30% of external costs of the trial (up to $10 million)
- AEZS-120
-
- Approval from Danish regulatory authorities for a Phase 1
proof-of-concept trial as an oral prostate cancer vaccine
- Initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial
- Focus on successful in-/out-licensing and acquisition
opportunities:
-
- Identification of companies with already marketed
products
- Integration of commercial activities
- Leveraging of sales force
Jude Dinges Background
Jude Dinges began
his career nearly 30 years ago as a professional sales
representative at Bristol Laboratories and later at Merck &
Co., where he was promoted to positions with increased
responsibilities in training, sales, management, marketing, and
market development. While at Merck, Mr. Dinges won multiple
awards, including the President's Achievement Award in 2001,
awarded to one of 32 Business Directors each year. He received the
Change Agent Award for his market development prelaunch business
planning and contributions to sales force execution, while
launching the blockbuster brands Cozaar®,
Fosamax®, Singulair®, Maxalt®,
Vioxx®, and Vytorin®. He was recognized with
a Career Achievement Award for his consistent top performance as a
Senior/Executive Business Director.
Mr. Dinges joined Novartis Pharmaceuticals in 2006
and led his region to top performance in the launch of
Tekturna® while balancing a broad antihypertensive
portfolio across several Novartis divisions. His region also led
the nation in market share for Exelon® and Exelon
Patch®. In 2008, Mr. Dinges became the Respiratory &
Infectious Disease Specialty Medicines Director.
In 2009, Mr. Dinges joined Amgen Inc. as Executive
Director of Region Sales, Bone Health Business Unit. Mr. Dinges led
his region team to a highly successful launch of monoclonal
antibody, Prolia®, across southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. His region ranked number one
among eight regions in sales, producing 18% of total company
revenue while leading 13% of the national sales force. His teams
produced the highest sales month on month, achieved the highest
number of buy and bill accounts, and developed the broadest use of
Prolia® by primary care physicians. He has consistently
produced exceptional performance while launching blockbuster and
mature in-line brands alike.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical
company engaged in developing novel treatments in oncology and
endocrinology. The Company's pipeline encompasses compounds from
drug discovery to regulatory approval. For more information, 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, including forward-looking
statements relating to the expected impact of the transfer of the
listing of the Company's shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
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, market reaction
to the transfer of the listing of the shares on the NASDAQ Capital
Market, 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.