AEterna Zentaris Partner, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Announces Poster Presentation Highlighting Clinical Activity of Perifosine (
11 Noviembre 2009 - 7:35AM
PR Newswire (US)
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
(http://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
http://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.
DATASOURCE: AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. CONTACT: Investor Relations:
Ginette Vallieres, Investor Relations Coordinator, (418) 652-8525
ext. 265, ; Media Relations: Paul Burroughs, Director of
Communications, (418) 652-8525 ext. 406,
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