Aeterna Zentaris to Participate in 18th Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference Seeking Partnering Opportunities

Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS, TSX: AEZ) (the “Company”) today announced that Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer David A. Dodd will participate in the 18th Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference, on February 8 & 9, 2016 in New York City. Mr. Dodd will update participants on the status of the Company’s two Phase 3 clinical trials and will continue the Company’s efforts to secure additional partners for the development of Zoptrex™, which if approved by the FDA, would be the first systemic therapy for the treatment of advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer, and for Macrilen™, which if approved by the FDA, would be the first orally administered drug indicated for the evaluation of adult growth hormone deficiency (“AGHD”). The Company continues to actively seek opportunities to in-license and acquire products for US commercialization, consistent with its goal of becoming a growth-oriented specialty biopharmaceutical company by pursuing successful development and commercialization of its product portfolio.

Commenting on the BIO CEO & Investor Conference, Mr. Dodd stated, “This conference is an excellent opportunity to meet with a number of potentially interested commercial and strategic partners because it brings the key decision-makers together in one place. With the expected completion of our Phase 3 clinical trials of Zoptrex™ and Macrilen™ by the end of 2016, we are seeing increased interest from potential development partners for both compounds. We intend to pursue this interest aggressively.”

About Zoptrex™

Zoptrex™ (zoptarelin doxyrubicin) represents a new concept in oncology whereby a “targeting” peptide is conjugated to a cytotoxic drug in order to facilitate targeted delivery of the cytotoxic agent to cancer cells expressing the corresponding target peptide receptor. Potential benefits of this targeted approach include better efficacy and a more favorable safety profile with lower incidence and severity of side effects as compared to the cytotoxic agent alone. The Zoptrex™ Phase 3 clinical program, which is fully-enrolled, is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment with the US FDA and, in October 2015, received endorsement and support for trial continuation to completion from the independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board. Completion of the clinical trial is expected by the end of Q3 2016.

The Company intends to commercialize Zoptrex™, if approved, in the U.S. market. Zoptrex™ has been out-licensed to Sinopharm A-Think, the largest China-based pharmaceutical company, for the development, manufacturing and commercialization for all human indications, in the territories of China, Hong Kong and Macao. Discussions are underway with potential additional partners relative to the development and commercialization rights in other geographic territories. Zoptrex™ has also demonstrated encouraging results in Phase 2 clinical programs completed in both ovarian and prostate cancer therapy.

About Macrilen™

Macrilen™ (macimorelin acetate) is an orally-active ghrelin receptor agonist that induces a fasting patient’s Growth Hormone (GH) secretion. A single oral dose of Macrilen™ causes a rapid increase in GH levels in individuals with an intact hypothalamic-pituitary axis. It is in Phase 3 development for the evaluation of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) and is expected to be completed in 2016. The Company intends to commercialize Macrilen™, once approved in the U.S. market. Discussions relative to non-US geographic rights for Macrilen™ are underway with various interested parties.

Macrilen™ (macimorelin acetate) is an orally-active ghrelin receptor agonist that induces a fasting patient’s Growth Hormone (GH) secretion. A single oral dose of Macrilen™ causes a rapid increase in GH levels in individuals with an intact hypothalamic-pituitary axis. It is in Phase 3 development for the evaluation of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) and is expected to be completed in 2016. The Company intends to commercialize Macrilen™, once approved in the U.S. market. Discussions relative to non-US geographic rights for Macrilen™ are underway with various interested parties.

Co-Promoted Products

The Company currently co-promotes three products: EstroGel® (estradiol gel), a leading gel application of estrogen therapy, from Ascend Therapeutics; Saizen® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection], a recombinant human growth hormone supplement from EMD Serono; and APIFINY®, the first non-PSA blood test for use in evaluating and managing the risk of prostate cancer, from Armune Bioscience. During the conference, the Company will pursue opportunities to in-license or to acquire products that will compliment this portfolio.

About Aeterna Zentaris

Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing and commercializing novel treatments in oncology, endocrinology and women’s health. We are engaged in drug development activities and in the promotion of products for others. We are now conducting Phase 3 studies of two internally developed compounds. The focus of our business development efforts is the acquisition of or licenses to products that are relevant to our therapeutic areas of focus. We also intend to license out certain commercial rights of internally developed products to licensees in territories where such out-licensing would enable us to ensure development, registration and launch of our product candidates. Our goal is to become a growth-oriented specialty biopharmaceutical company by pursuing successful development and commercialization of our product portfolio, achieving successful commercial presence and growth, while consistently delivering value to our shareholders, employees and the medical providers and patients who will benefit from our products. For more information, visit www.aezsinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the US Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” and similar terms that relate to future events, performance, or our results. 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 and clinical trials, 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 efficiently commercialize one or more of its products or product candidates, the ability of the Company to take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the ability to protect our intellectual property, the potential of liability arising from shareholder lawsuits and general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and US securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance 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.

Contacts:

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Philip A. Theodore, Senior Vice President
843-900-3223
ir@aezsinc.com

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