(RTTNews) - Biopharmaceutial company AEterna Zentaris Inc. (AEZS: News ), Tuesday, revealed positive preliminary results from a mid-stage trial on its product candidate AEZS-108, stating that the compound met pre-defined primary efficacy endpoint in patients with advanced-stage or recurrent endometrial cancer, sending the shares up over 14% in morning trade.

In the Phase II study, dubbed AGO-GYN 5, evaluating safety and anti-tumor activity of AEZS-108, an intravenous infusion of 267 mg/m2 of the pro-drug was administered to subjects over a period of 2 hours, every first day of a 21-day cycle.

Preliminary results showed that AEZS-108 met its primary efficacy endpoint of 5 or more responder patients with endometrial cancer.

The patients were hand-picked to contain tumors that express luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, or LHRH, receptors, the key element in the targeting endometrial cancer by the compound.

The company added that further results including progression free survival rates will be published on completion of the ongoing AGO-GYN-5 study, conducted by the German AGO Study Group in cooperation with clinical sites in Europe.

Recently, Quebec, Canada- based AEterna Zentaris also reported preliminary positive results from the same Phase-2 tests for AEZS-108, tested in patients with ovarian cancer.
"Along with the recently disclosed positive results for the ovarian cancer indication, the good news for the endometrial cancer indication provides us with an even stronger basis to take the next steps in the development of AEZS-108 in gynaecological cancers," said Juergen Engel, President and Chief Executive Officer at AEterna Zentaris.

AEZS-108, formerly AN-152, is a cytotoxic peptide conjugate, containing a carrier peptide vehicle transporting cell-toxic doxorubicin. The compound is designed to attach and destroy tumor cells that express certain receptors.

On market potential of the compound, the company said that endometrial cancer accounted for more than 6% of cancer deaths in women, leading to approximately 38,000 new cases and 9,000 deaths annually in Europe.

Ovarian Cancer, on the other hand, causes 5% of all cancer deaths, with approximately 26,000 new cases and 17,000 deaths estimated in the European community every year.

AEZS is currently trading at $1.13, gaining 14.14% or 14 cents on the Nasdaq.

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by RTT Staff Writer

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