Cyntec to market AEterna Zentaris' Zoptrex in Taiwan and Southeast Asia

Canada’s AEterna Zentaris (TSX: AEZ) and Orient EuroPharma (OEP) have signed an exclusive license agreement between the company and Cyntec, an affiliate of OEP for its lead anti-cancer compound, Zoptrex (zoptarelin doxorubicin), for the initial indication of endometrial cancer, for Taiwan and nine countries in Southeast Asia.

Zoptrex, a novel synthetic peptide carrier linked to doxorubicin as a New Chemical Entity (NCE), is currently in a fully-enrolled Phase III clinical trial in endometrial cancer. The Company expects to complete the Phase III clinical trial in the third quarter of 2016 and, if the results of the trial warrant doing so, to file a New Drug Application for Zoptrex in the first half of 2017.

Under the terms of the license agreement, AEterna Zentaris will be entitled to receive a non-refundable upfront payment in consideration for the license to Cyntec of the company’s intellectual property related to Zoptrex and the grant to Cyntec of the right to commercialize Zoptrex in the Territory. Cyntec has also agreed to make additional payments to the company upon achieving certain pre-established regulatory and commercial milestones. Furthermore, AEterna Zentaris will receive royalties on future net sales of Zoptrex in the Territory. Cyntec will be responsible for the development, registration, reimbursement and commercialization of the product in the Territory.