-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, FXHoL2DmKTAvtcIN5IWawIQBGeSWShiirmQVP8LoHwzwry1106bz0IMW/unSP46l LfHJoC8zikEHDwYWlpILhg== 0001047469-06-004556.txt : 20060405 0001047469-06-004556.hdr.sgml : 20060405 20060405105308 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-06-004556 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060405 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060405 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060405 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Aeterna Zentaris Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001113423 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-30752 FILM NUMBER: 06740810 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1405 BOUL DU PARC TECHNOLOGIQUE STREET 2: QUEBEC CITY: QUEBEC STATE: A8 ZIP: GIP 4P5 BUSINESS PHONE: 418 652 8525 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1405 BOUL DU PARC TECHNOLOGIQUE STREET 2: QUEBEC CITY: QUEBEC STATE: A8 ZIP: GIP 4P5 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AETERNA LABORATORIES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20000503 6-K 1 a2169103z6-k.txt FORM 6-K FORM 6-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER ------------------------ Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the month of April 2006 AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. ----------------------------- 1405, boul. du Parc-Technologique Quebec, Quebec Canada, G1P 4P5 (Address of principal executive offices) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F Form 40-F X ------ ------ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Yes No X ----- ----- If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ----- DOCUMENTS INDEX
DOCUMENTS DESCRIPTION - ------------- ------------ 1. Press release dated April 4, 2006: AEterna Zentaris Discloses Preclinical Results on Various Drug Candidates at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Meeting in Washington
[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO] AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. 1405 du Parc-Technologique Blvd. Quebec (Quebec) Canada G1P 4P5 T 418 652-8525 F 418 652-0881 www.aeternazentaris.com PRESS RELEASE For immediate release AETERNA ZENTARIS DISCLOSES PRECLINICAL RESULTS ON VARIOUS DRUG CANDIDATES AT THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH (AACR) MEETING IN WASHINGTON QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, APRIL 4, 2006 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; Nasdaq: AEZS) today announced that it presented abstracts outlining preclinical results on various novel drug candidates for multiple cancers at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, currently held in Washington, D.C. TUBULIN INHIBITORS The first poster entitled, "A NEW HIGHLY POTENT CYTOTOXIC COMPOUND WITH INHIBITORY EFFECTS ON TUBULIN POLYMERIZATION AND TOPOISOMERASE II" (abstract #499), reviewed results of a preclinical trial on ZEN-012/ZEN-017. Anti-proliferative effects of the active metabolite ZEN-012 were studied in a panel of 35 established human tumor cell lines including multi-drug resistant phenotypes. Given orally once weekly, ZEN-017 proved to be a potent inhibitor of IN VIVO tumor growth in melanoma, mammary, colon, as well as in leukemia cancers at acceptable and very well tolerated doses (40-80 mg/kg b.w.). The novel prodrug ZEN-017 is cleaved under physiological conditions to the active component ZEN-012. Mode-of-action studies revealed that ZEN-012 effectively inhibits tubulin polymerization (IC50 = 1490 nM) and induces apoptosis in U937 cells. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that ZEN-012 inhibits topoisomerase II activity. "These preclinical results on ZEN-012/ZEN-017 demonstrated its capacity of inhibiting both tubulin polymerization and topoisomerase II as well as inducing apoptosis in multi-drug resistant cancer cells. These multiple mechanisms of action are what sets ZEN-012/ZEN-017 apart from other current compounds under development. ZEN-012/ZEN-017 continues to be evaluated in a series of safety pharmacology and toxicology studies and we expect to take this compound from the preclinical stage into a clinical Phase 1/2 study by year-end", underlined Dr. Jurgen Engel, Executive Vice President Global R&D and Chief Operating Officer at AEterna Zentaris. SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION INHIBITORS The second poster entitled, "NOVEL PYRIDOPYRAZINE-UREA DERIVATIVES ARE HIGHLY SELECTIVE DUAL MECHANISM INHIBITORS OF PI3K AND ERK1/2"' (abstract #3808) related preclinical results for signal transduction inhibitors in breast, colon and pancreatic cancer. In cancer, both the ras-Raf-Mek-Erk and the PI3K-Akt signalling pathways are constitutively activated through multiple mechanisms, and thus exert several key functions in tumor development and [AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO] progression. The results of research to date indicate that both the MAPK and the PI3K signalling pathways represent promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of malignant tumors. "We have been focusing efforts on single and dual inhibitors of Raf-Mek-Erk and PI3K-Akt pathways. Results disclosed showed that we now have identified a new compound class with inhibitory activity against both the Erk and PI3K pathways, therefore demonstrating their unique potential in treating malignant tumors", stated Dr. Engel. CYTOTOXIC CONJUGATES The third poster entitled, "TARGETED THERAPY OF GYNECOLOGICAL TUMORS WITH CYTOTOXIC PEPTIDE ANALOGS" (abstract #3082) outlined preclinical results on cytotoxic conjugates for gynaecological cancers. Human breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines were tested for the presence of Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH), bombesin and somatostatin receptors. Anti-tumor activity and toxicity of targeted cytotoxic analogs of LHRH (AN-207), bombesin (AN-215) and somatostatin (AN-238) were evaluated in nude mouse models of these tumors and compared with the non-targeted cytotoxic radical 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin, a potent derivative of doxorubicin developed in collaboration with Noble Prize laureate Dr. Andrew V. Schally of the U.S. Veterans Administration in Miami. Tumor inhibition in these models ranged between 40%-68%. Authors, including Dr. Schally, concluded that targeted therapy of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer with cytotoxic peptide analogs AN-207, AN-215 and AN-238 is more effective and less toxic than non-targeted chemotherapy. Among various cytotoxic peptide analogs under development by AEterna Zentaris, the compound AN-152, a cytotoxic conjugate with an LHRH analog, is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial. "All preclinical studies presented at the AACR meeting are part of our strategy aimed at bringing at least one preclinical compound to the clinical stage each year, as we did last year with AN-152, in gynaecological and breast cancers. They also reflect the quality of our deep and focused pipeline as we continue to develop next generation cancer treatments from early drug discovery right through to advanced-stage clinical trials", concluded Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief Executive Officer at AEterna Zentaris. ABOUT AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a growing global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and marketing of therapies for cancer and endocrine disorders. AEterna Zentaris also owns 48.4% of the equity of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. (TSX: ATB.sv) and 64.8% of its voting rights. Atrium is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of science-based products for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemical and nutritional industries. News releases and additional information are available at www.aeternazentaris.com. - ----------------------- FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from 2 [AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO] those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of the Company to take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements. -30- CONTACTS
MEDIA RELATIONS INVESTOR RELATIONS Paul Burroughs Jenene Thomas (418) 652-8525 ext. 406 (418) 655-6420 or (908) 996-3154 paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com jenene.thomas@aeternazentaris.com - ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------
3 [AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO] SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. Date: April 4, 2006 By: /s/ Mario Paradis - -------------------- ---------------------------- Mario Paradis Senior Finance Director and Corporate Secretary -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----