Aeterna Zentaris, Almac collaborate on study of AEZS-108 doxorubicin LHRH targeted conjugate compound

Jun 28 2010

Collaboration is part of Aeterna Zentaris' strategy of personalized approach to treatment with AEZS 108, the Company's LHRH receptor targeted conjugate with doxorubicin, being investigated in multiple cancers

Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; Nasdaq: AEZS), (the "Company"), a late-stage drug development company specialized in oncology and endocrine therapy, today announced a collaborative study with Almac's Diagnostics division for the Company's doxorubicin luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) targeted conjugate compound, AEZS-108, aimed at determining LHRH receptor expression through the development of a companion diagnostic tool. Selection for treatment with AEZS-108 is determined on the basis of LHRH receptor expression, currently measured immunohistochemically. In humans, LHRH receptors are expressed in ovarian, endometrial, breast, bladder, prostate and pancreatic tumors. AEZS-108 is currently in Phase 2 trials for advanced LHRH receptor positive ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Juergen Engel, Ph.D., President and CEO of Aeterna Zentaris stated, "We are very pleased with the collaboration with Almac who have proven experience in the development and validation of companion diagnostic tools and potential biomarkers in cancer indications. AEZS-108 is a promising anticancer compound, as demonstrated by the positive final Phase 2 results in ovarian cancer expressing LHRH receptors, recently disclosed at the last ASCO meeting. This state of the art companion diagnostic tool will allow us to develop improved methods of selecting the most appropriate patients to be treated with AEZS-108 in order to enhance the efficiency of our clinical trials and help us with the future successful development of AEZS-108 in a number of different LHRH expressing cancers."

President and Managing Director of Almac Diagnostics, Professor Paul Harkin , said "We are very pleased to collaborate with Aeterna Zentaris on this exciting project. The plan to develop a companion diagnostic for AEZS-108 shows Aeterna Zentaris's clear commitment to personalized medicine, which will provide this compound with the best opportunity for success "