AEterna Zentaris Announces Phase I Positive Results for its Oral Growth Hormone Secretagogue Compound EP-1572 Potential applications for growth disorders in children and cachexia (muscle wasting) associated with chronic disease QUEBEC CITY, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; NASDAQ: AEZS) today announced positive results in a Phase I study of its oral Growth Hormone Secretagogue (GHS), EP-1572. Conducted by Ardana plc (LSE:ARA), AEterna Zentaris' development and marketing partner for EP- 1572, the study provides clear evidence that this compound is able to induce a significant rise in growth hormone levels. Potential applications include treatment for growth retardation in children and cachexia associated with chronic disease such as AIDS and cancer. EP-1572, the only orally-administered specific GHS in development, presents a major competitive advantage in terms of ease and convenience of delivery over current treatments which are only available through injections. The open, randomised, placebo-controlled dose-escalation Phase I study involved a total of 36 healthy male volunteers, divided into three groups of 12 volunteers. Nine subjects in each group received a single oral dose of EP-1572 - 0.005 mg/kg in the first group, 0.05 mg/kg in the second group and 0.5 mg/kg in the third group - with the other three subjects in each group receiving a placebo. All subjects had been initially checked for their ability to release growth hormone by the intravenous administration of another hormone, growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH). The data demonstrated that between 1-2 hours after drug administration there was a statistically significant increase in the levels of growth hormone in the blood without any effect on other hormones with the mean GH value being 79.12 ng/ml at the highest dose of EP-1572 (p=0.009), compared to 52.62 ng/ml with GHRH and 3.58 ng/ml for placebo. In all cases, EP-1572 was well tolerated and no adverse events were reported. Additional studies are ongoing to accelerate development of EP-1572 for growth hormone disease and the more significant marketing opportunity of cachexia associated with chronic disease. In 2004 the global growth hormone market was estimated to be worth US$2.3 billion. (Source: Wood Mackenzie's Product View December 2004). About Growth Hormone Secretagogues (GHS) and EP-1572 Growth Hormone Secretagogues (GHS) represent a new class of pharmacological agents which directly stimulate growth hormone (GH) secretion from the pituitary gland. EP-1572 is the only peptidomimetic GHS compound in its class to be orally administered; other treatments are available through daily injections. EP-1572 has potential applications for the treatment of growth hormone disorders (GHD) such as growth retardation in children and cachexia in AIDS patients. There are currently no GHS's on the market. About EP-1572 strategic alliance with Ardana plc In 2002, AEterna Zentaris granted Ardana an exclusive worldwide license to develop and market the growth hormone secretagogue EP-1572. Ardana is funding the activities necessary to obtain regulatory and marketing approvals. Furthermore, the agreement provides milestone payments, as well as royalties on future worldwide net sales of EP-1572 among other elements to AEterna Zentaris. About Ardana Ardana plc (LSE:ARA) is an emerging pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products to improve human reproductive health, a US$23.8 billion market. Since its foundation, Ardana has maintained a broad and balanced portfolio to manage risk and actively pursues product and technology in-licensing and out-licensing to maintain a robust pipeline. About AEterna Zentaris Inc. AEterna Zentaris Inc. is an oncology and endocrine therapy focused biopharmaceutical company with proven expertise in drug discovery, development and commercialization. The Company's broad 20 product pipeline leverages five different therapeutic approaches, including LHRH antagonists and signal transduction inhibitors. The lead LHRH antagonist compound, cetrorelix, is currently marketed for in vitro fertilization under the brand name Cetrotide(R). Cetrorelix is also in late-stage clinical development for endometriosis and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The lead signal transduction inhibitor compound, perifosine, is an orally-active AKT inhibitor that is in several Phase II trials for multiple cancers. AEterna Zentaris owns 50.7% of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. (ATB.sv), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of value-added products for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemical and nutritional industries. News releases and additional information about AEterna Zentaris are available on its Web site http://www.aeternazentaris.com/ . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which 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 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 the 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. DATASOURCE: AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. (FORMERLY/ANCIENNEMENT - LES LABORATOIRES AETERNA CONTACT: Media Relations: Paul Burroughs, (418) 652-8525, ext. 406, ; Investor Relations: Ginette Vallieres, (418) 652-8525, ext. 265, ; Europe: Matthias Seeber, +49-6942602-3425, ; To request a free copy of this organization's annual report, please go to http://www.newswire.ca/ and click on reports@cnw.

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