News Release Feb 15, 2000:
newswire.ca
DR. ERIC DUPONT, CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF AETERNA LABORATORIES
TO PRESENT AT BIO CEO & INVESTOR CONFERENCE
- AEterna President to present on panel: Antiangiogenesis: Exciting
Approach For The Next Millennium -
NEW YORK, Feb. 15 /CNW/ - Dr. Eric Dupont, Chairman, President and CEO of
AEterna Laboratories Inc. (TSE: AEL), a leading company in the field of
angiogenesis, will present information on the company and its progress in the
development and clinical trials of its compound, AE-941/Neovastat, at the
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) CEO & Investor Conference on
Wednesday, February 16 at 1:30 p.m. in the Jade Room of the Waldorf Astoria
Hotel in New York.
AEterna's AE-941/Neovastat treatment is entering two Phase III trials in
the first quarter of this year for the treatment of lung cancer and kidney
cancer. Patient recruitment for these trials will soon get underway. The
Company plans on filing other applications for clinical trials in psoriasis
and age-related macular degeneration.
Dr. Dupont is responsible for the overall strategic direction and
development of AEterna. Dr. Dupont founded AEterna Laboratories in 1991 while
completing his PhD in physiology-endocrinology and a certificate in business
administration at Laval University. Dr. Dupont is one of the inventors on the
patents covering the angiogenesis inhibitor compound AE-941 developed by
AEterna and is the author or co-author of over 50 scientific publications and
lectures.
AEterna is among the top five companies with antiangiogenic drugs at the
final trial stage. This new class of drugs seeks to inhibit angiogenesis, a
scientific term for the formation of new blood vessels -- an occurrence that
is vital to the progression of such diseases as cancer.
Dr. Dupont will provide information on its lead compound AE-941/Neovastat
during his presentation entitled ''Limiting the Lifeblood of Disease''. By
blocking the growth of new blood vessels, AE-941/Neovastat could offer a new
strategy to halt the development of more than 20 different diseases that are
dependent on angiogenesis. AE-941/Neovastat is currently targeted at solid
tumors such as lung, kidney and prostate cancers, as well as psoriasis and
age-related macular degeneration, which causes blindness.
ABOUT AE-941/NEOVASTAT
AE-941/Neovastat is a novel antiangiogenic product with multiple
mechanisms of action that block angiogenesis, the formation of new blood
vessels - a necessary element in the development of cancer and other medical
disorders. AE-941/Neovastat's proposed method of action includes the
inhibition of the enzyme matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), as well as
interaction with the VEGF receptor sites to prevent the reception of
angiogenic signals from cancerous cells. Preclinical and clinical data suggest
that AE-941/Neovastat has an effect on diseases that are dependent on
angiogenesis. In addition, the preclinical and clinical data have demonstrated
an excellent safety profile in the treatment of targeted diseases such as
cancer, psoriasis and age-related macular degeneration. AE-941/Neovastat has
been given to more than 540 patients with various diseases. Some have taken
the treatment for as long as three years.
ABOUT AETERNA
AEterna Laboratories Inc. is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused
on the development of new therapies to treat a variety of conditions,
principally cancer. AEterna's lead compound, AE-941/Neovastat, is an
angiogenesis inhibitor being investigated in three major therapeutic areas:
oncology, dermatology and ophthalmology. The company also owns 77.8% of Atrium
Biotechnologies Inc., a leader in the development of active ingredients used
in cosmetics and nutrition products. AEterna is listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol AEL.
AEterna's news releases and additional information are available on its
Web site at www.aeterna.com.
%SEDAR: 00003989EB
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For further information: Janet Craig, Director of Corporate
Communications and Investor Relations, AEterna Laboratories Inc., Direct:
416-697-6169, Bus: 418-652-8525, Fax: 418-652-0881, E-mail:
aeterna@sympatico.ca, Website: www.aeterna.com |
