AEterna Zentaris Expands Therapeutic Approaches in Oncology to Immunotherapeutic Vaccination
April 21 2005 - 8:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
AEterna Zentaris Expands Therapeutic Approaches in Oncology to
Immunotherapeutic Vaccination QUEBEC CITY, April 21
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; NASDAQ:
AEZS) today announced that it has established a new research
collaboration with Wurzburg/Germany-based Julius-Maximilians-
University on the development of tumor vaccines based on attenuated
bacterial carriers. AEterna Zentaris also acquired patent rights
from the university and the inventors covering several aspects of
both immunotherapeutic approaches against cancer as well as
bacterial tumor targeting. The first expected targets for this
research project would be the development of vaccines against
prostate cancer and melanoma. This vaccine approach exploits the
ability of bacteria to induce potent immune responses and to direct
this response against malignancies. The immunogenicity of the
vaccine is further enhanced by the capacity of bacteria to colonize
tumor tissues. This property will be used to transport substances,
e.g. proteins, into the tumor tissue, which are capable of
converting non- toxic pro drugs into active drugs. The preclinical
proof of principle has already been shown in a transgenic animal
model and is backed by several patent applications now transferred
to AEterna Zentaris. The use of bacterial carriers for therapeutic
vaccination against tumors and the concept of bacterial tumor
targeting will be further developed with the
Julius-Maximilians-University including the highly recognized
researchers Prof. Dr. Ulf R. Rapp and Prof. Dr. Werner Goebel.
Prof. Rapp, Director of the Institute of Medical Radiology and Cell
Research at the Julius-Maximilians- University, is a known expert
in the field of cell and tumor biology. He is the discoverer of the
Raf protein which is one of the key factors in cancer development.
Prof. Goebel, a pioneer in the field of vaccines based on
recombinant bacteria, is Head of the Department of Microbiology. He
has published several groundbreaking works in the field of
bacterial virulence factors. "Using recombinant bacteria as Trojan
horses against malignancies is a very attractive approach for
future cancer therapy. The collaboration with AEterna Zentaris will
allow us to further push ahead in that promising area of research",
said Prof. Rapp. "Combining the expertise of high calibre
researchers as Prof. Rapp and Prof. Goebel, their teams and our
existing in-house resources, provides AEterna Zentaris with a
unique strength in the area of bacterial tumor therapy", said Prof.
Jurgen Engel, Executive Vice President Global R&D and Chief
Operating Officer at AEterna Zentaris. "The expected close
collaboration is yet another proof of our ability to attract
university laboratories and their leading scientists who are
recognized as being at the very forefront of their respective
research area", he added. Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief
Executive Officer at AEterna Zentaris stated: "Expanding our
existing technology platform in oncology beyond small molecules and
cytotoxic conjugates to also cover cancer vaccination, paves the
way for AEterna Zentaris to become a leading biopharmaceutical
company in the fight against cancer. It is our strategic goal to
secure a constant flow of innovative projects in this core area of
competence for our Company." About Immunotherapy Immunotherapy is a
treatment based upon the concept of triggering the body's own
natural defence mechanisms to fight off the disease, usually by
stimulating the immune system either locally or systemically.
Oncology represents one of the most actively researched areas of
immunotherapy and offers the promise of new therapies based upon
the idea of stimulating the patient's immune system to attack the
malignant tumor cells that are responsible for the disease. 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, ;
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