Trial initiation to trigger milestone payment to Aeterna Zentaris
QUÉBEC CITY, Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the "Company") today announced that its Japanese partner, Yakult Honsha ("Yakult"), has initiated a Phase 1/2 trial in Japan to assess the safety and efficacy of the Company's PI3K/Akt inhibitor, perifosine, in combination with chemotherapeutic agent, capecitabine, in patients with refractory advanced colorectal cancer ("CRC"). The initiation of this trial will trigger a milestone payment of an undisclosed amount from Yakult to Aeterna Zentaris under the partnership agreement signed with Yakult in March 2011 for perifosine in Japan.
Juergen Engel, PhD, President and CEO of Aeterna Zentaris stated, "We would like to thank our partner Yakult for the swift initiation of this trial in Japan, a first in the clinical development of perifosine in Japan. The trial is also part of our worldwide clinical development and registration strategy for perifosine in colorectal cancer, as we await the completion of the Phase 3 trial in this indication in the United States during the first quarter of 2012."
The Phase 1/2 Trial in CRC
The Phase 1/2 trial is being conducted in patients with refractory advanced CRC. The primary endpoint of the Phase 1 portion of the trial is the safety profile of perifosine in combination with capecitabine. The primary endpoint of the Phase 2 portion is efficacy (Disease Control Rate).
About Perifosine
Perifosine is a novel, oral anticancer treatment that inhibits Akt activation in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. The product works by interfering with membranes of cancer cells thereby inhibiting Akt signaling which then affects cell death, growth, differentiation and survival. Perifosine, in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, is currently being studied for the treatment of colorectal cancer, multiple myeloma and other cancers, and is the most advanced anticancer agent of its class. Perifosine, as monotherapy, is being explored in other indications. The FDA has granted perifosine orphan-drug designation in multiple myeloma and neuroblastoma, and Fast Track designations in both multiple myeloma and refractory advanced colorectal cancer. Additionally, an agreement was reached with the FDA to conduct the Phase 3 trials in both of these indications under a Special Protocol Assessment. Perifosine has also been granted orphan medicinal product designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in multiple myeloma. Furthermore, perifosine has received positive Scientific Advice from the EMA for both the multiple myeloma and advanced colorectal cancer programs, with ongoing Phase 3 trials for these indications expected to be sufficient for registration in Europe. Perifosine rights have been licensed to Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: KERX) for North America, to Yakult for Japan, to Handok for Korea and to Hikma Pharmaceuticals for the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
About Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.
Yakult is a leading Japanese company focused on the development and marketing of pharmaceuticals, foods, beverages, and cosmetics. As for pharmaceutical business, Yakult has an emerging presence in oncology. For more information on Yakult, visit: www.yakult.co.jp/english/index.html or view the following company profile: www.yakult.co.jp/english/pdf/profile2010-2011.pdf
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a late-stage oncology drug development company currently investigating potential treatments for various cancers including colorectal, multiple myeloma, endometrial, ovarian, prostate and bladder cancer. The Company's innovative approach of "personalized medicine" means tailoring treatments to a patient's specific condition and to unmet medical needs. Aeterna Zentaris' deep pipeline is drawn from its proprietary discovery unit providing the Company with constant and long-term access to state-of-the-art therapeutic options. For more information please 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 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.