AEZS-130 has potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Cash-strapped Ardana Biosciences is giving assets related to its growth hormone secretagogue (GHS)/ghrelin agonist, AEZS-130, to AEterna Zentaris for $232,000. Ardana suspended trading on June 30, 2008, after efforts to find a buyer or lucrative licensing deals fell through.
Under this worldwide agreement, AEterna obtained development data, the compound’s inventory, regulatory authorizations including IND and orphan drug status as a diagnostic test granted in the U.S., as well as a patent application protecting the use of AEZS-130 in the diagnosis of growth hormone secretion deficiency.
Ardana had began Phase III trials with AEZS-130 in the U.S to test the compound’s ability to detect growth hormone secretion deficiency. Additionally, based on Phase I results, AEZS-130 has potential applications for the treatment of cachexia, the firms notes.
Ardana’s pipeline also consists of a Phase III testosterone cream for male hypogonadism and Teverelix LA in Phase I studies for endometriosis as well as Phase II for prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia. These development programs were halted in February 2008 due to lack of cash. Prior to that, in December 2007, the firm initiated a search for partnering opportunities, in particular for these two assets, as well as a sale or merger of the firm.
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Sanofi-Aventis to Commercialize AEterna Zentaris’ Late-Stage BPH Drug in the U.S. (Mar. 6, 2009)
AEterna Zentaris Sells Echelon to Frontier Scientific for $3.2M (Dec. 3, 2007)
AEterna Zentaris Reclaims Cetrorelix Rights for All Indications (May 8, 2007)
