Aeterna Zentaris Announces IND Submission by Sinopharm A-Think
Clinical Development Expected to Start in First Half of 2017
Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the “Company”) today announced that its licensee, Sinopharm A-Think
Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (“Sinopharm A-Think”), which is affiliated with the largest state-owned pharmaceutical company in the
People’s Republic of China, today submitted an Investigational New Drug application (“IND”) for Zoptrex™ to the Chinese State Food
and Drug Administration (“CFDA”), remaining on track to commence its clinical program during the first half of 2017.
The IND submission follows Sinopharm A-Think’s recent implementation of the processes for manufacturing Zoptrex™, which will
enable it to commence its clinical program with product manufactured locally. Dr. Richard Sachse, Senior Vice President and Chief
Medical and Scientific Officer of the Company, stated, “The Company’s Frankfurt-based personnel assisted Sinopharm A-Think with the
IND by providing extensive information regarding the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls related to the manufacture of Zoptrex™.
We are pleased that we were able to assist our licensee to achieve this important step in their clinical development of Zoptrex™. I
remain very impressed by the progress that Sinopharm A-Think is making.”
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing and commercializing novel treatments in
oncology, endocrinology and women’s health. We are engaged in drug development activities and in the promotion of products for
others. We are now conducting Phase 3 studies of two internally developed compounds. The focus of our business development efforts
is the acquisition or license of products that are relevant to our therapeutic areas of focus. We also intend to license out
certain commercial rights of internally developed products to licensees in territories where such out-licensing would enable us to
ensure development, registration and launch of our product candidates. Our goal is to become a growth-oriented specialty
biopharmaceutical company by pursuing successful development and commercialization of our product portfolio, achieving successful
commercial presence and growth, while consistently delivering value to our shareholders, employees and the medical providers and
patients who will benefit from our products. For more information, visit www.aezsinc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the US Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to statements preceded by, followed by,
or that include the words “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” and similar terms that relate to future events,
performance, or our results. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the
Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include,
among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects and clinical trials, the successful and timely
completion of clinical studies, the risk that safety and efficacy data from any of our Phase 3 trials may not coincide with the
data analyses from previously reported Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 clinical trials, the rejection or non-acceptance of any new drug
application by one or more regulatory authorities and, more generally, uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the ability
of the Company to efficiently commercialize one or more of its products or product candidates, the degree of market acceptance once
our products are approved for commercialization, the ability of the Company to take advantage of business opportunities in the
pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the ability to protect our intellectual property, the
potential of liability arising from shareholder lawsuits and general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult the
Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and US securities commissions for additional information on risks and
uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update any
such factors or to publicly announce the result of 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 by applicable law.
Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Philip A. Theodore
Senior Vice President
843-900-3223
ir@aezsinc.com
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160614006424/en/