Aeterna Zentaris Selects Charleston, S.C. as New Location for its North American Business and Global Commercial Operations

QUÉBEC CITY, May 5, 2014 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Aeterna Zentaris Inc. AEZS 0.00%  CA:AEZ +1.61%  (the "Company"), a specialty biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel treatments in oncology and endocrinology, today announced that it has selected Charleston, South Carolina as its new location for the Company's North American business and global commercial operations. Over the next five years, Aeterna Zentaris is expected to implement a staff to support the areas of commercial operations, business development, regulatory and quality assurance, manufacturing management, clinical and product development, as well as various administrative functions. In conjunction with the Company's plans and commitment to this investment, the Coordinating Council for Economic Development of South Carolina has approved job development credits to Aeterna Zentaris.

David Dodd, President and CEO at Aeterna Zentaris commented, "The Charleston, South Carolina area is one of the most thriving and exciting business communities in the United States and we are very much looking forward to becoming part of it. Establishing our North American business and global commercial activities here is part of our strategic plan not only for the launch of MACRILEN(TM) in the United States, as potentially the first FDA approved oral product for use in evaluating growth hormone deficiency in adults, but also for our future commercial opportunities. Furthermore, this marks an important milestone in Aeterna Zentaris' transition from an R&D company into a commercially operating company. As we evaluated our options, we were highly impressed by the commitment to life sciences demonstrated by the leadership of South Carolina and the emergence of Charleston as a collaborative center for research and development in the biopharmaceutical industry. We especially want to thank and acknowledge the leadership within the South Carolina Research Authority, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance and the team at the Medical University of South Carolina, all of whom contributed to this significant decision for our corporation. Finally, we wish to thank Governor Nikki Haley, who personally conveyed the state's commitment to assisting companies such as Aeterna Zentaris, in successfully developing the bio-industry throughout South Carolina."

Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina stated, "We are excited Aeterna Zentaris chose Charleston to be the home of their new North American business and global commercial operations - further proof that South Carolina is attracting cutting-edge research and development. We celebrate their decision to invest and to create new jobs in the Charleston area."

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina's leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and community development. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. South Carolina ranked first in the national level for attracting jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Location International reports in both 2012 and 2013. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com .

About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel treatments in oncology and endocrinology. The Company's pipeline encompasses compounds at various stages of development. For more information, visit www.aezsinc.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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, 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 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 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, unless required to do so by a governmental authority or by applicable law.

SOURCE Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

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SOURCE: Aeterna Zentaris Inc.