Interim data analysis shows induction of response and/or disease stabilization in 69% of evaluable patients in combination with Dexamethasone QUEBEC CITY, QC, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX : AEZ, NASDAQ : AEZS) along with its partner, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:KERX), today announced that Dr. Paul Richardson, Clinical Director of the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston, MA reported positive interim results from the Phase 2 study of perifosine in patients with advanced relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM) at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 48th Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, FL. Perifosine is currently being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials as a single agent and in combination with other anti-cancer agents across several tumor types. Dr. Richardson, along with Dr. Ken Anderson at DFCI and other leading investigators from MM centers including Emory University, University of Michigan, Alta Bates, City of Hope, University of Virginia and Northwestern University have been instrumental in the pre-clinical and clinical development of perifosine for MM. The conclusion of the investigators is that perifosine alone or in combination with dexamethasone has activity in patients with advanced, relapsed/refractory MM, achieving response and/or stabilization of disease in 69% of evaluable patients to date. The poster (Abstract # 3582), entitled "A Multicenter Phase II Study of Perifosine (KRX-0401) Alone and in Combination with Dexamethasone (Dex) for Patients with Relapsed or Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MM)," is available for viewing today, December 11th, 2006 at the Orange County Convention Center. In this ongoing Phase 2 study, patients with relapsed or relapsed/refractory MM are treated with perifosine (150 mg oral daily dose) to assess the single agent activity of perifosine in this patient population. If a patient progresses on perifosine alone, dexamethasone (20 mg twice weekly) is added to their perifosine regimen. Results 55 patients (30 men and 25 women, median age 63 years, range 3879) have been treated to date. All patients had relapsed and refractory MM, with a median of 4 lines of prior treatment (range 2 - 11). Prior therapy included dex (95%), thalidomide (89%), bortezomib (78%), lenalidomide (31%) and stem cell transplant (73%). Among 33 patients currently evaluable for response, best response (European Group for Blood Marrow Transplant "EBMT"/Blade criteria) to single agent perifosine after 2 or more cycles, was stable disease (less than 25% reduction in M-protein) in 13 patients (39%). Dexamethasone was added in 30 of 55 patients with progressive disease (PD), with 23 patients evaluable for response on the combination, reported as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Perifosine + Dex N (%) Duration (wks) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- PR 2 (9%) 13+, 17+ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- MR 4 (17%) 4, 16+, 28+, 30+ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stable Disease 11 (48%) 6 - 20+ (median 18)(x) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (x)4 pts ongoing at 16, 18, 20 and 20 weeks ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The most common Grade 3/4 adverse events were nausea (7%), vomiting (4%), diarrhea (2%), fatigue (2%), and increased creatinine (8% in the context of PD and light chain nephropathy). Dose reduction (150 to 100 or 50 mg/d) was required in 16 patients and 7 patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Attributable toxicities otherwise proved manageable with appropriate supportive care. Perifosine was generally well tolerated, with no peripheral neuropathy or deep vein thrombosis seen. Dr. Jurgen Engel, Executive Vice President, Global R&D and Chief Operating Officer at AEterna Zentaris commented, "We are very pleased with the anti-tumor activity and the manageable toxicity profile witnessed with the treatment of perifosine in patients with multiple myeloma. The data received on perifosine thus far is quite encouraging, and we remain committed to the further evaluation of perifosine alone or in combination with other novel agents as well as with radiotherapy." Perifosine (KRX-0401) is out-licensed to Keryx Biopharmaceuticals from AEterna Zentaris, Inc. in the United States, Canada and Mexico while AEterna Zentaris retains rights for the rest of the world. About Perifosine Perifosine is a novel, first-in-class, oral anti-cancer agent that modulates several key signal transduction pathways, including AKT, MAPK, and JNK that have been shown to be critical for the survival of cancer cells. Perifosine has demonstrated single agent anti-tumor activity in Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies and is currently being studied as a single agent and in combination with several forms of anti-cancer treatments for various forms of cancer. 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 Relation: Jenene Thomas, (418) 655-6420,

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