Aeterna Zentaris Announces Top-Line Data from the Perifosine Phase 3 Trial in Refractory Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Press Release: AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. – 3 hours ago
QUÉBEC CITY, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Aeterna ZentarisInc. (NASDAQ: AEZS - News) (TSX: AEZ) (the "Company") today announced that the Phase 3 "X-PECT" (Xeloda® + Perifosine Evaluation in Colorectal cancer Treatment) clinical trialevaluating perifosine + capecitabine (Xeloda®) in patients with refractory advanced colorectal cancer did not meet the primary endpoint of improving overall survival versus capecitabine + placebo. The trial involving 468 patients in 65 sites in the U.S was conducted by the Company's North American licensee partner,Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: KERX - News).
Juergen Engel, Ph.D., Aeterna Zentaris President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Although we are obviously very disappointed that the trial did not meet its primary endpoint, I would like to thank all those involved in this trial for their dedicated work. We are currently conducting further data analyses in collaboration with our licensee partners, in order to determine the future development strategy for perifosine. Our other ongoing late-stage programs with AEZS-108 and AEZS-130, as well as earlier-stage programs from our deep pipeline will continue as planned, with a sufficient cash position to pursue these programs for more than the next 12 months."
The Company will host a conference call and webcast later today, Monday, April 2, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern). Participants may access the live webcast through the Company's website at www.aezsinc.com in the "Newsroom" section, or by telephone: in Canada, (514) 807-9895 or (647) 427-7450, outside Canada, (888) 231-8191. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Company's website for a period of 15 days.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a late-stage oncology drug development company currently investigating potential treatments for various cancers. The Company's innovative approach of "personalized medicine" means tailoring treatments to a patient's specific condition and to unmet medical needs. Aeterna Zentaris' deep pipeline is drawn from its proprietary discovery unit providing the Company with constant and long-term access to state-of-the-art therapeutic options. For more information please visit www.aezsinc.com. |
