QUÉBEC CITY, May 5,
2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS)
(TSX: AEZ) (the "Company"), a specialty biopharmaceutical
company engaged in developing novel treatments in oncology and
endocrinology, today announced that it has selected Charleston, South Carolina as its new location
for the Company's North American business and global commercial
operations. Over the next five years, Aeterna Zentaris is expected
to implement a staff to support the areas of commercial operations,
business development, regulatory and quality assurance,
manufacturing management, clinical and product development, as well
as various administrative functions. In conjunction with the
Company's plans and commitment to this investment, the Coordinating
Council for Economic Development of South
Carolina has approved job development credits to Aeterna
Zentaris.
David Dodd, President and CEO at
Aeterna Zentaris commented, "The Charleston, South Carolina area is one of the
most thriving and exciting business communities in the United States and we are very much looking
forward to becoming part of it. Establishing our North American
business and global commercial activities here is part of our
strategic plan not only for the launch of MACRILENTM in
the United States, as potentially
the first FDA approved oral product for use in evaluating growth
hormone deficiency in adults, but also for our future commercial
opportunities. Furthermore, this marks an important milestone in
Aeterna Zentaris' transition from an R&D company into a
commercially operating company. As we evaluated our options, we
were highly impressed by the commitment to life sciences
demonstrated by the leadership of South
Carolina and the emergence of Charleston as a collaborative center for
research and development in the biopharmaceutical industry. We
especially want to thank and acknowledge the leadership within the
South Carolina Research Authority, the South Carolina Department of
Commerce, the Charleston Regional
Development Alliance and the team at the Medical University of South Carolina, all of whom
contributed to this significant decision for our corporation.
Finally, we wish to thank Governor Nikki
Haley, who personally conveyed the state's commitment to
assisting companies such as Aeterna Zentaris, in successfully
developing the bio-industry throughout South Carolina."
Nikki Haley, Governor of
South Carolina stated, "We are
excited Aeterna Zentaris chose Charleston to be the home of their new North
American business and global commercial operations - further proof
that South Carolina is attracting
cutting-edge research and development. We celebrate their decision
to invest and to create new jobs in the Charleston area."
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina's leading
economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to
recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce
has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone,
Continental, Monster.com, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also
supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives
and community development. Commerce partners with the S.C.
Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training
and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and
Workforce, which provides worker training and employment
opportunities within the state. South
Carolina ranked first in the national level for attracting
jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Location
International reports in both 2012 and 2013. The state won the Gold
Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development
magazine in 2012. For more information, visit
www.SCcommerce.com.
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 at
various stages of development. 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. 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 efficiently commercialize one or more of
its products or product candidates, 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.