AEterna Zentaris Reports On Zoptrex Development Progress In China

Clinical Development Expected to Start in 2016

CHARLESTON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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, is on track to submit a Clinical Trial Application (“CTA”) for Zoptrex™ to the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (“SFDA”) in the Summer of 2016 and anticipates initiating the clinical development program later this year. In addition, Sinopharm A-Think has successfully implemented the technology processes and is preparing to manufacture the compound.

Dr. Richard Sachse, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of the Company, stated, “We are pleased with the progress that Sinopharm A-Think is making in their efforts to develop and commercialize Zoptrex™ in China. It has only been a little over a year since we entered into our technology transfer and license agreements with this important development partner. In that short period of time, they have achieved tremendous strides toward implementing the processes necessary to manufacture Zoptrex™ in China.”

Sinopharm A-Think is required to provide extensive information regarding the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls related to the manufacture of Zoptrex™ as part of the CTA. The Company’s Frankfurt-based personnel are assisting Sinopharm A-Think to prepare this part of the CTA, by providing additional characterization of reference standards over and above what is required for an IND in the US and the EU, as well as shipment of such standards to China. While preparing the CTA, Sinopharm A-Think is also planning to manufacture sufficient quantities of Zoptrex™ to support its clinical program.

Mr. Yadong Zheng, Chief Executive Officer of Sinopharm A-Think, added, “We are very excited about and committed to the development of Zoptrex™ for our territories of China, Hong Kong and Macao. This development program represents our priority focus in our portfolio development activities and we look forward to a successful clinical development, followed by registration and commercialization of Zoptrex™ by our company. We also anticipate additional developments in further areas of cancer therapy, working in close collaboration with Aeterna Zentaris.”

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 ability of the Company to efficiently commercialize one or more of its products or product candidates, 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.