AEterna Zentaris (AEZS) Announces Positive AEZS-108 Efficacy Data from Phase 2

November 2, 2009 8:21 AM EST

AEterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) today announced positive efficacy data from a Phase 2 study with its targeted cytotoxic peptide conjugate, AEZS-108 (formerly AN-152), in patients with platinum-resistant and taxane-pretreated ovarian cancer. In a personalized healthcare approach, the study selected patients with tumors expressing LHRH receptors, the key element in the targeting mechanism of AEZS-108. Under coordination by Prof. Gunter Emons, MD, Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Gottingen, Germany, this open-label, multi-center and multi-national Phase 2 study 'AGO-GYN-5' is being conducted by the German AGO Study Group, in cooperation with clinical sites in Europe.

AEZS-108 represents a new targeting concept in oncology using a cytotoxic peptide conjugate which is a hybrid molecule composed of a synthetic peptide carrier and a well-known cytotoxic agent, doxorubicin. The design of this product allows for the specific binding and selective uptake of the cytotoxic conjugate by LHRH-receptor-positive tumors. The binding of AEZS-108 to cancerous cells that express these receptors results in its accumulation and preferential uptake in the malignant tissue.

In a Phase 2 study program entitled, "The antitumoral activity and safety of AEZS-108 (AN-152), a LHRH agonist linked doxorubicin in women with LHRH-receptor positive gynaecological tumors", patients with tumors expressing LHRH receptors are administered an intravenous infusion of 267 mg/m2 of AEZS-108 over a period of 2 hours, every Day 1 of a 21-day (3-week) cycle. The proposed duration of the study treatment is 6, 3-week cycles. Study AGO-GYN-5 is performed with 14 centers of the German Gynaecological Oncology Working Group, in cooperation with 3 clinical sites in Europe.

The program was planned to include up to 82 patients, up to 41 with a diagnosis of platinum-resistant and taxane-pretreated ovarian cancer, and up to 41 with disseminated endometrial cancer. For both indications, patient recruitment was planned in 2 stages with 21 and 20 patients, respectively, and the primary efficacy endpoint at the end of stage 2 was defined as 5 or more patients with partial or complete tumor responses according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and/or Gynaecologic Cancer Intergroup (GCIG) guidelines. Secondary endpoints include time to progression, survival, toxicity, as well as adverse effects.

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