Exhibit 99.1
Aeterna
Zentaris Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
| | – | Ended
the quarter with $46.6 million in cash, expected to fund operations into 2025 |
| | | |
| | – | Continued
efforts to accelerate recruitment for DETECT trial |
| | | |
| – | Actively
seeking alternate development and commercialization partners for Macrilen®
(macimorelin) in the U.S. and other territories not currently partnered |
TORONTO,
ONTARIO, May 9, 2023 – Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZS) (“Aeterna” or the “Company”),
a specialty biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing a diversified portfolio of pharmaceutical and diagnostic products,
today reported its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
“Our
team remains focused on driving enrollment for our ongoing DETECT trial in addition to discussions with alternate development and commercialization
partners for macimorelin in the U.S. and other territories not currently partnered,” commented Dr. Klaus Paulini, Chief Executive
Officer of Aeterna. “We have made solid progress with our development programs and are approaching additional pre-established
go/no-go milestones related to the advancement of our pipeline and, importantly, have a strong cash position to fund these efforts. We
continue to set the stage for opportunities that we believe will drive value for shareholders throughout this year.”
Summary
of First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
All
amounts are in U.S. dollars
Cash
and cash equivalents
The
Company had $46.6 million in cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2023.
Results
of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023
For
the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, we reported a consolidated net loss of $4.3 million, or $0.88 loss per common share (basic),
as compared with a consolidated net loss of $2.6 million, or $0.54 loss per common share (basic) for the three-month period ended March
31, 2022. The $1.7 million increase in net loss is primarily from a $1.6 million increase in research and development expenses, a $0.4
million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, and a $0.3 million decrease in gain (loss) due to changes in foreign
currency offset by a $0.6 million increase in revenues.
Revenues
| ● | Our
total revenue for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, was $2.1 million as compared
to $1.5 million for the same period in 2022, representing an increase of $0.6 million. The
increase is due to an increase in license fees of $0.3 million and development services revenue
of $0.4 million due to the increase in DETECT-trial expenses, offset by a $0.1 million decrease
in the remaining line of services from the previous period. |
Operating
Expenses
| ● | Our
total operating expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 was $6.3 million
as compared with $4.3 million for the same period in 2022, representing an increase of $2.0
million. This increase arises primarily from a $1.6 million increase in research and development
expenses, and a $0.4 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. |
Consolidated
Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis
For
reference, the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the first quarter 2023,
as well as the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2023, will be available
on the Company’s website (www.zentaris.com) in the Investors section or at the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com and
www.sec.gov.
About
Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna
Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing a diversified portfolio of pharmaceutical and diagnostic
products focused on areas of significant unmet medical need. The Company’s lead product, macimorelin (Macrilen™; Ghryvelin®),
is the first and only U.S. FDA and European Commission approved oral test indicated for the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency
(AGHD). The Company is leveraging the clinical success and compelling safety profile of macimorelin to develop it for the diagnosis of
childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (CGHD), an area of significant unmet need.
Aeterna
Zentaris is dedicated to the development of its therapeutic asset and has established a pre-clinical development pipeline to potentially
address unmet medical needs across a number of indications, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), Parkinson’s
disease (PD), hypoparathyroidism and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig’s disease).
For
more information, please visit www.zentaris.com and connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Forward-Looking Statements
This
press release contains statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. and Canadian securities legislation
and regulations, and such statements are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provision of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “aiming”, “anticipates,”
“believes,” “intends,” “potential,” “possible,” and similar expressions. Such statements,
based as they are on current expectations of management, inherently involve numerous risks, uncertainty and assumptions, known and unknown,
many of which are beyond our control.
Forward-looking
statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, those relating to Aeterna’s expectations regarding: its ability
to fund its future operations; recruitment efforts with respect to the DETECT trial; and commercialization efforts regarding macimorelin.
Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements
stated herein to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking
information. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others: we may not be successful in finding a commercialization partner for
Macrilen® in North America or other territories not currently partnered; we may not be able to re-launch sales of Macrilen®
in the United States; our reliance on the success of the DETECT-trial in CGHD; results from our ongoing or planned pre-clinical
studies and our DETECT-trial may not be successful or may not support advancing the product further in pre-clinical studies, to human
clinical trials or regulatory approval; our ability to raise capital and obtain financing to continue our currently planned operations;
our now heavy dependence on the success of macimorelin (Macrilen®; GHRYVELIN™) and related out-licensing arrangements
and the continued availability of funds and resources to successfully commercialize the product; the global instability due to the global
pandemic of COVID-19 and the war in the Ukraine, and their unknown potential effect on our planned operations; our ability to enter into
out-licensing, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution agreements with other pharmaceutical companies and keep such agreements
in effect; and our ability to continue to list our common shares on the NASDAQ. Investors should consult our quarterly and annual filings
with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties, including those risks discussed
in our Annual Report on Form 20-F and annual information form, under the caption “Risk Factors”. Given the uncertainties
and risk factors, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to
update any such factors or to publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future
results, events or developments, unless required to do so by a governmental authority or applicable law.
No
securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Toronto Stock Exchange accepts
no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Investor Contact:
Jenene
Thomas
JTC Team
T : +1 (833) 475-8247
E:
aezs@jtcir.com
