AEterna Zentaris Reaches 2nd Stage of Patient Recruitment for Phase 2 Trial in Ovarian Cancer with the Innovative LHRH Receptor Targeted Conjugate...( QUEBEC CITY Oct. 2 / AEterna Zent...),Health

QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS; TSX: AEZ), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today reported that it has entered the second stage of patient recruitment for its Phase 2 trial in ovarian cancer with AEZS-108, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist linked to doxorubicin. The decision to enter the second stage of patient recruitment was taken following recent first stage data reporting two partial responses (PR) among patients with a diagnosis of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The trial is part of a Phase 2 program in gynaecological cancers for which patient enrolment began in December 2007. The open-label, non-comparative multi-center Phase 2 program will treat up to 82 women with LHRH-receptor positive ovarian and endometrial cancerous tumors. The primary endpoint for the program is the partial or complete tumor response rate according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and/or Gynaecologic Cancer Intergroup (GCIG) guidelines. The program is being conducted in 15 centers in Europe under the supervision of lead investigator, Prof. Gnter Emons, M.D., of the Georg-August-University, Institute of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Gttingen, Germany.

Paul Blake, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of AEterna Zentaris commented, "We are encouraged by the early signal of potential efficacy of our lead oncology compound, AEZS-108, for patients suffering from ovarian cancer. We believe that specifically targeting LHRH-receptor expressing tumors using doxorubicin is key to achieving increased clinical benefit for these patients. Finally, we look forward to disclosing full results during the next fe
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