USPTO issues patent to Aeterna Zentaris’ AEZS-130 oral test for AGHD

Aug 7 2012

Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the "Company") today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted a patent for the use of its oral ghrelin agonist, AEZS-130 (EP1572) as a diagnostic test for adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD). Filed on February 19, 2007, the patent (US 8,192,719 B2) titled, "Methods and Kits to Diagnose Growth Hormone Deficiency by Oral Administration of EP1572 or EP1573 Compounds", became effective as of June 5, 2012, and will expire on October 12, 2027. The corresponding composition of matter patent (US 6,861,409 B2), filed on June 13, 2001 and granted on March 1, 2005, will expire on August 1, 2022, with the possibility of a patent term extension of up to 5 years.

Juergen Engel, PhD, President and CEO of Aeterna Zentaris stated, "This patent, along with our recent Fast Track designation request, represent important steps in our strategy aimed at bringing AEZS-130 to market in the most favorable conditions. There is no approved diagnostic test for AGHD in North America, and we believe AEZS-130 could provide a safe, effective and convenient oral test for this indication."

SOURCE AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.