Æterna Zentaris Inc, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, reported that after regaining from Ardana Biosciences Ltd. (Ardana), the worldwide rights to the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS)/ghrelin agonist, AEZS-130, it has entered into an agreement with the administrators of Ardana to acquire all Ardana assets relating to AEZS-130 for $232,000. These assets include development data, inventory of compound, regulatory authorizations, including IND and orphan drug status as a diagnostic test granted in the United States, as well as a patent application protecting the use of AEZS-130 for the diagnostic of growth hormone secretion deficiency.

Ardana had developed AEZS-130 up to the initiation of phase-3 clinical trials in the United States for use as an oral diagnostic test of growth hormone secretion deficiency. In addition to the diagnostic indication, AEZS-130, based on results of phase-1 studies conducted by Ardana, has potential applications for the treatment of cachexia, a condition frequently associated with severe chronic diseases such as cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and AIDS.

"We are pleased to gain access to a project in an advanced development stage," said Juergen Engel, president and CEO of Æterna Zentaris. "Our product portfolio is now complemented with an additional project in phase-3 clinical trials. We are confident that we can retain the interest of potential strategic partners for this project as we have already initiated partnering discussions."

Æterna Zentaris is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, with proven expertise in drug discovery, development and commercialization.