AEterna Zentaris Completes Patient Recruitment for Second Efficacy Trial of its Phase 3 Program with Cetrorelix in Benign Prostatic H...( QUEBEC CITY Oct. 1 / AEterna Zent...)

QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 1, /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS; TSX: AEZ), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today reported the completion of patient recruitment for the Company's second efficacy trial of its Phase 3 program in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, with its flagship product candidate, cetrorelix, a Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) antagonist. This second efficacy study involves approximately 400 patients, mainly in Europe.

"We are very pleased to have completed patient recruitment for this second efficacy trial as scheduled. Our Phase 3 program is progressing well and remains on track with first results expected for the third quarter of 2009," said Paul Blake MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of AEterna Zentaris. "We firmly believe that cetrorelix's novel therapeutic approach could lead to a more efficacious and convenient treatment for the millions of men with BPH."

The study, titled, "Cetrorelix pamoate in patients with symptomatic BPH: a double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy study", involves approximately 400 patients, and will assess an intermittent dosage regimen of cetrorelix as a potential safe and tolerable treatment providing prolonged improvement in BPH-related signs and symptoms. This Phase 3 trial, conducted in Europe under the supervision of lead investigator, Prof. Dr. Frans M.J. Debruyne, MD, of the Andros Mannenkliniek, Arnhem, The Netherlands, is part of the Company's Phase 3 program with cetrorelix being studied in approximately 1,500 patients in North America and Europe in men with symptomatic BPH.

About the Phase 3 Program with Cetrorelix in BP
'/>"/>