AEterna Zentaris Announces Termination of Agreement with sanofi-aventis U.S. for the Development, Commercialization and Licensin
18 Dezembro 2009 - 10:15AM
PR Newswire (US)
QUEBEC CITY, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AEterna Zentaris
Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS; TSX: AEZ) (the "Company"), a global
biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and endocrine
therapy, today announced the termination of its agreement with
sanofi-aventis U.S. (NYSE:SNY) dated March 5, 2009 for the
development, commercialization and licensing of cetrorelix in
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for the U.S. market, following
the Company's announcement last week of the results for its
European Phase 3 study for cetrorelix in BPH. Termination of the
agreement will be effective January 9, 2010. Cetrorelix, a
luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonist, had been
the object of a Phase 3 program in BPH, a non-cancerous enlargement
of the prostate which, as announced by the Company last week, did
not meet its primary endpoint. Juergen Engel, Ph.D., AEterna
Zentaris President and CEO stated, "The termination of our
agreement with sanofi-aventis U.S. was expected in light of last
week's announcement. Our clinical development efforts will now be
focused on the following late-stage compounds: in oncology, Keryx,
our partner and licensee in North America, has just initiated a
Phase 3 trial in multiple myeloma with perifosine, our oral
PI3K/Akt inhibitor compound. We are also currently evaluating
further development plans for AEZS-108, our targeted doxorubicin
conjugate, after recent positive Phase 2 results in ovarian and
endometrial cancer. In endocrinology, we are in the process of
reactivating a Phase 3 trial with our oral ghrelin agonist,
AEZS-130, as a diagnostic test for adult growth hormone
deficiency." About AEterna Zentaris Inc. AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a
global biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and endocrine
therapy, with proven expertise in drug discovery, development and
commercialization. News releases and additional information are
available at http://www.aezsinc.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. 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
except if we are required by a governmental authority or applicable
law. DATASOURCE: AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. CONTACT: Investor Relations:
Dennis Turpin, SVP and CFO, (418) 652-8525 ext. 242, ; Media
Relations: Paul Burroughs, Director of Communications, (418)
652-8525 ext. 406,
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