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, ; 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.

Copyright