AEterna Zentaris Partner, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Announces Poster
Presentation Highlighting Clinical Activity of Perifosine (KRX-0401) at 51st
Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology
Updated Analyses of Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of Perifosine in Combination
with Bortezomib (+/- Dexamethasone) to be Presented on Saturday,
December 5, 2009
QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ:
AEZS; TSX: AEZ) (the "Company"), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on
endocrine therapy and oncology, today announced that Keryx Biopharmaceuticals,
Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX), its partner and licensee for perifosine (KRX-0401) in the
North American market, will present data from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of
perifosine in combination with bortezomib (+/- dexamethasone), during a poster
presentation session at the upcoming 51st Annual Meeting of the American
Society of Hematology (ASH), to be held in New Orleans from December 5-8,
2009. The clinical data to be presented demonstrates the potential safety and
efficacy of perifosine in the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory
multiple myeloma.
Details on the abstract selected for poster presentation are as follows:
Abstract #: 1869
Title: Perifosine in Combination with Bortezomib and
Dexamethasone Extends Progression-Free Survival and
Overall Survival in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple
Myeloma Patients Previously Treated with Bortezomib:
Updated Phase 1/2 Trial Results
Lead Author: Paul Richardson, MD
Session Name: Myeloma - Therapy, excluding Transplantation Poster I
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009
Presentation Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hall E
Poster Board no.: I-891
This abstract became available for viewing yesterday on the ASH website
(www.hematology.org). At the time of the abstract submission in mid-August
2009, there were 84 patients enrolled in the study, of which 73 were evaluable
for efficacy and are reported on within the abstract. Updated efficacy
(response rate, time-to-progression and survival) and safety analyses, as of
mid-November 2009, will be presented at the conference.
About Perifosine
Perifosine is a novel oral anticancer agent that modulates several key signal
transduction pathways, including Akt, MAPK, and JNK that have been shown to be
critical for the survival of cancer cells. Perifosine has demonstrated both
safety and clinical efficacy in several tumor types, both as a single agent
and in combination with novel therapies. Perifosine is currently in Phase 2
clinical development for multiple tumor types, with a Phase 3 in multiple
myeloma, under Special Protocol Assessment (SPA), pending commencement by
year-end. Perifosine has also received Orphan Drug designation from the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
About AEterna Zentaris Inc.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on
endocrine therapy and oncology, with proven expertise in drug discovery,
development and commercialization. News releases and additional information
are available at www.aezsinc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the
safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties,
which 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 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 the
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 except if we are required by a governmental authority or
applicable law.
SOURCE AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
Investor Relations: Ginette Vallieres, Investor Relations Coordinator, (418)
652-8525 ext. 265, gvallieres@aezsinc.com; Media Relations: Paul Burroughs,
Director of Communications, (418) 652-8525 ext. 406, pburroughs@aezsinc.com
