Data further supports the use of ghrelin antagonists as a potential obesity treatment QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; NASDAQ: AEZS) today announced that Dr. Daniel Perrissoud, Head of Project Management for the Company, will give a presentation entitled "Novel ghrelin receptor ligands inhibit food intake without altering growth hormone secretion in rats" which will outline the capacity of ghrelin antagonists' ability to inhibit appetite without affecting growth hormone (GH) secretion. The data to be presented represents a first evidence that ghrelin antagonist compounds can selectively inhibit food intake. It also further supports the hope that ghrelin antagonist compounds have the potential to be useful for the treatment of obesity. The presentation will take place on Sunday, October 22, 2006, between 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (local time) at the International Conference Center of Athens, Greece, during the 12th meeting of the European NeuroEndocrine Association. "Obesity represents a large and ever increasing market worldwide in great need of safe and novel treatments", said Dr. Jurgen Engel, Executive Vice President, Global R&D and Chief Operating Officer at AEterna Zentaris. "We are pleased to have multiple, ongoing research projects on our ghrelin antagonists in collaboration with renowned researchers in Montpelier, Milan, Montreal and Quebec City. These efforts are part of our commitment to build a portfolio of innovative and novel products as we continue to establish solid endocrinology and oncology franchises." This first public disclosure of results from AEterna Zentaris' program on ghrelin antagonists will be focused on the in vivo effects of two lead compounds resulting from the synthesis and screening of more than 250 new chemical entities by the Laboratory of Aminoacids, Peptides and Proteins of the University of Montpellier, France, directed by Prof. Jean Martinez, and the Department of Experimental and Environmental Medicine of the University of Milan, Italy, directed by Prof. Vittorio Locatelli. These two non-peptidic compounds were characterized in vitro as ghrelin receptor ligands and they were able to inhibit the food intake of rats at doses which did not modify the secretion of growth hormone. For a specific anti-obesity use, a ghrelin antagonist should counteract the orexigenic effects of ghrelin but not the growth hormone secretagogue effect, since growth hormone deficiency is frequently associated with increased adiposity. About Ghrelin and Ghrelin Antagonists Ghrelin is a natural peptide hormone produced by the stomach that increases appetite and induces accumulation of fat tissue. The recent discovery of ghrelin and its receptors opens up new opportunities for the treatment of obesity and eating disorders through the use of ghrelin antagonists to suppress appetite. About the Obesity Market There is no safe and effective appetite suppressant currently on the market. It is estimated that between 34 million to 61 million Americans are obese, and the worldwide incidence of obesity is increasing by an estimated 1% per year. The global obesity market is expected to reach US$3.7 billion by 2008, with annual growth of 21.1%. About AEterna Zentaris Inc. AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a growing global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, with proven expertise in drug discovery, development and commercialization. News releases and additional information are available at 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. CONTACT: Media Relations: Paul Burroughs, (418) 652-8525, ext. 406, ; Investor Relations: Jenene Thomas, (418) 655-6420, (908) 996-3154,

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