QUEBEC CITY, July 29, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Aeterna
Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the "Company")
today announced it has selected an optimized Erk inhibitor molecule
for development, thus achieving another important milestone in the
development of a new class of potential cancer therapies.
The MAPK pathway represents a prime target for therapeutic
intervention in cancer. Recently approved compounds demonstrate
significant antitumor activities and survival benefits for B-Raf
and Mek inhibitors. Erk inhibitors may be preferred agents in
tumors with aberrant MAPK pathway activity, e.g. in tumors with
mutated or wildtype B-Raf, mutated or wildtype ras, and in tumors
with acquired resistance to Raf and Mek inhibitors.
At the 2014 American Association for Cancer Research's annual
meeting, the Company presented an abstract of its work on an Erk
inhibitor molecule called "AEZS-134". The abstract was selected by
participants in the meeting as one of the 11 high-impact abstracts
out of hundreds presented on the topic. Subsequently to this
recognition, the Company continued its efforts on the Erk inhibitor
program, including identification of an optimized molecule.
An optimized Erk inhibitor compound, AEZS-140, and back-up
candidates were identified as a result of the development
efforts. AEZS-140 and the back-up candidates demonstrate
improved plasma exposure in rodents as well as enhanced anti-tumor
efficacy in comparison to the previous lead compound, AEZS-134.
Furthermore, AEZS-140 was profiled against several clinical Raf,
Mek and Erk inhibitors and demonstrated very competitive activity.
The Company will proceed with the next development steps for
AEZS-140 and the back-up compounds, including in depth profiling
in vitro and, also, further in vivo tumor models. The
Company is seeking proposals from parties who are interested in
either co-developing or licensing the compounds.
David A. Dodd, Chairman and CEO
of Aeterna Zentaris, commented, "Our strategy includes leveraging
some of our promising early-stage drug candidates in order to
generate potential long-term value without having to invest in
their development. We are pursuing this strategy with respect to
our Erk inhibitor development program. A therapeutic agent
arising from this program could represent a novel approach to
treating types of cancers with acquired resistance to Raf and Mek
inhibitors. Our business development team is already engaged
in discussions with parties who have previously expressed an
interest in our work with Erk inhibitors."
About Aeterna Zentaris
Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company
engaged in developing and commercializing novel treatments in
oncology, endocrinology and women's health. 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
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.
SOURCE Aeterna Zentaris Inc.