QUÉBEC CITY, Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the "Company") today announced that it will make presentations on some of its innovative anticancer compounds at the following conferences:
| Event: | BIT's 9th Annual Congress 2011 of International Drug Discovery Science and
Technology (IDDST), Shenzhen, China - Nov. 3-6, 2011 |
| Lecture title: | "LHRH receptors as targets for drug development in cancer" |
| Presenter: | Juergen Engel*, Ph. D., President and CEO, Aeterna Zentaris |
| Session 1-8: | Endocrinology and Drug Discovery |
| Date and time: | Thursday, November 03, 2011, from 1:30 p.m. to 1:55 p.m. (local time) |
| Venue: | Room # 316, 3rd Floor, SCEC |
| *J. Engel will also be Chairman of this session | |
| Event: | 2011 AACR-EORTC-NCI Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics
Conference, San Francisco, CA - Nov.12-16, 2011 |
| Abstract #C214: | "Disorazol Z - A highly cytotoxic natural compound with antitumor properties" |
| Presenter: | Babette Aicher, Ph.D., Director, Preclinical Development, Aeterna Zentaris |
| Session: | Tubulin Interacting Agents |
| Session ID: | Poster session C |
| Date and time: | Tuesday, November 15, 2011, from 12:30 p.m to 2:30 p.m. (Pacific time) |
| Venue: | West Hall, Level One, Moscone Center West, San Francisco, CA |
| Event: | 34th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, TX - Dec. 6-10, 2011 |
| Poster #P3-18-06: | "AEZS-131 - A highly selective ERK-inhibitor: characterization and preclinical testing in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)" |
| Presenter: | Juergen Engel, Ph. D., President and CEO, Aeterna Zentaris |
| Session 3: | Treatment - Therapeutic Strategies: Signal Transduction Inhibitors |
| Date and time: | Thursday, December 08, 2011, from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. (Central time) |
| Venue: | Exhibit Halls A-B, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX |
About AEZS-108
AEZS-108 represents a new targeting concept in oncology using a hybrid molecule composed of a synthetic peptide carrier and a well-known chemotherapy agent, doxorubicin. AEZS-108 is the first intravenous drug in a clinical study that directs the chemotherapy agent specifically to LHRH-receptor expressing tumors, resulting in more targeted treatment with less damage to healthy tissue. The product has successfully completed Phase 2 studies for the treatment of endometrial and ovarian cancer, and is also in Phase 2 trials in prostate and bladder cancer. A pivotal trial in endometrial cancer is expected to be initiated by the end of 2011. AEZS-108 has been granted orphan-drug designation by the FDA and orphan medicinal product designation from the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Aeterna Zentaris owns the worldwide rights to AEZS-108.
About Disorazol Z
Disorazol Z is a bacterially produced compound with cytotoxic activity in the sub-nanomolar range. The proof-of-concept of LHRH-receptor targeting disorazol Z conjugates for the treatment of ovarian cancer has already been demonstrated in a xenograft mouse model.
About AEZS-131
Aeterna Zentaris has identified small molecular compounds that selectively inhibit Erk 1/2, among them AEZS-131, which has been shown to significantly inhibit tumor growth in in vivo studies. Early development of the Erk inhibitor AEZS-131 is an integral part based on our knowledge with perifosine of Aeterna Zentaris' kinase research program comprising the investigation of different compounds for single Erk inhibition, single PI3K inhibition and dual Erk/PI3K kinase inhibition.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a late-stage oncology drug development company currently investigating potential treatments for various cancers including colorectal, multiple myeloma, endometrial, ovarian, prostate and bladder cancer. The Company's innovative approach of "personalized medicine" means tailoring treatments to a patient's specific condition and to unmet medical needs. Aeterna Zentaris' deep pipeline is drawn from its proprietary discovery unit providing the Company with constant and long-term access to state-of-the-art therapeutic options. For more information please visit www.aezsinc.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that 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 risk that safety and efficacy data from any of our Phase 3 trials may not coincide with the data analyses from previously reported Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 clinical trials, 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 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. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, unless required to do so by a governmental authority or by applicable law.
SOURCE AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
