Scientific article supports AEterna Zentaris' development of perifosine inhibitor

AEterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS; TSX: AEZ) (the "Company"), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today announced publication of a scientific article in the renowned Journal of Urology, supporting the development of the Company's PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor oral compound, perifosine, for the treatment of cancer. The article outlines the pivotal role of PI3K and Akt signaling pathways in renal cell carcinoma pathogenesis thus, representing an ideal target for therapeutic intervention. Perifosine is described as the most advanced PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor, which has already proved to be clinically active, as well as an ideal compound to combine with other anticancer agents. Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX), is AEterna Zentaris' partner and licensee for perifosine (KRX-0401) in the North American market.

The extensive article focuses on the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in renal cell carcinoma pathogenesis, and on preclinical and clinical activity of compounds specifically targeting this pathway. Clinical data and perspectives on several compounds at different stages of development were also reviewed. The authors' conclusions on perifosine as a single agent or in combination therapy were based on data from several Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies in multiple types of cancer, including renal cell carcinoma.

The authors also mention the investigation of perifosine in sarcoma, pancreas, prostate and hepatocellular carcinomas, because of the pathogenetic relevance of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways in these cancers. They refer to the activity of perifosine in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia for which perifosine targets NFkappaB.

The article entitled, "Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase/Akt Signaling Pathway and Kidney Cancer, and the Therapeutic Potential of Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase/Akt Inhibitors", Camillo Porta and Robert A. Figlin, appears in the December 2009 issue of the Journal of Urology.