QUEBEC CITY, April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - AEterna Zentaris Inc. , a global, pure play biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today announced that it will present two abstracts outlining first in vitro data on its PI3K inhibitors as well as in vivo data on its GHRH antagonist, JMR-132, which both may potentially provide new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer. These abstracts will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, to be held April 14-18 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California.
Selected abstracts for poster sessions in the Exhibit Hall: Monday, April 16, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (PT) - Abstract #2379 “New Generation of Anilino-Substituted Pyridopyrazine-Urea Derivatives Show Highly Selective PI3K- Inhibition”. Irene Seipelt, Eckhard Claus, Tilman Schuster, Emmanuel Polymeropoulos, Michael Teifel, Eckhard Gunther. The abstract reviews, for the first time, results of a preclinical development program on a new generation of pyridopyrazine derivatives which clearly indicate that these drug candidates selectively inhibit PI3K and could be valuable for the treatment of cancer. Tuesday, April 17, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (PT) - Abstract #3568 “GHRH-Antagonist in Combination with Docetaxel Chemotherapy induces regression of MX-1 human experimental breast cancers”. Joerg B. Engel, Andrew V. Schally, Jozseph Varga, Gabor Halmos, Stefan Buchholz. The abstract reviews results which demonstrate that GHRH antagonist, JMR-132, inhibits doxorubicin resistant in MX-1 human breast cancers and induces growth arrest or total regression when combined with docetaxel chemotherapy. Consequently, JMR-132 could provide a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of early and metastatic breast cancer.
Copies of these abstracts are currently available and can be viewed on-line through the AACR 2007 Meeting website at: http://www.abstractsonline.com/viewer/?mkey=%7BE3F4019C%2D0A43%2D4514%2D8F66%2DB86DC90CD935%7D
About AEterna Zentaris Inc.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a global, pure play biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology with proven expertise in drug discovery, development and commercialization.
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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 ability of AEterna Zentaris to implement its business strategies, the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of AEterna Zentaris 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.
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
CONTACT: Jenene Thomas, Senior Director, Investor Relations & CorporateCommunications, (418) 655-6420, jenene.thomas@aeternazentaris.com; PaulBurroughs, Media Relations, (418) 652-8525 ext. 406,paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com
