The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a patent for Aeterna Zentaris Inc. for the use of its oral ghrelin agonist, AEZS-130 (EP1572) as a diagnostic test for adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD).

Filed on February 19, 2007, the patent (US 8,192,719 B2) titled, "Methods and Kits to Diagnose Growth Hormone Deficiency by Oral Administration of EP1572 or EP1573 Compounds", became effective as of June 5, 2012, and will expire on October 12, 2027. The corresponding composition of matter patent (US 6,861,409 B2), filed on June 13, 2001 and granted on March 1, 2005, will expire on August 1, 2022, with the possibility of a patent term extension of up to 5 years.

Juergen Engel, PhD, president and CEO of Aeterna Zentaris stated, "This patent, along with our recent Fast Track designation request, represent important steps in our strategy aimed at bringing AEZS-130 to market in the most favourable conditions. There is no approved diagnostic test for AGHD in North America, and we believe AEZS-130 could provide a safe, effective and convenient oral test for this indication."

AGHD affects 35,000 adult Americans, with 6,000 new adult patients diagnosed each year. Growth hormone not only plays an important role in growth from childhood to adulthood, but helps promote good health throughout life. AGHD is usually characterized by low energy levels, decreased strength and exercise tolerance, increased weight or difficulty losing weight, emotional changes, anxiety and impaired sleep.


AEZS-130, a ghrelin agonist, is a novel orally-active small molecule that stimulates the secretion of growth hormone. The Company has completed a Phase 3 trial for use as an oral diagnostic test for AGHD. AEZS-130 has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for use in this indication. AEZS-130 is also in a Phase 2A trial as a treatment for cancer-induced cachexia. Aeterna Zentaris owns the worldwide rights to AEZS-130.

Aeterna Zentaris is an oncology and endocrinology drug development company currently investigating treatments for various unmet medical needs.