On May 1, 2017 Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ:AEZS) (TSX:AEZS) (the "Company") reported that the ZoptEC Phase 3 clinical study of Zoptrex (zoptarelin doxorubicin) in women with locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic endometrial cancer did not achieve its primary endpoint of demonstrating a statistically significant increase in the median period of overall survival of patients treated with Zoptrex as compared to patients treated with doxorubicin (Press release, AEterna Zentaris, MAY 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234518774]).
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Dr. Richard Sachse, the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer, stated, "The median overall survival period for patients treated with Zoptrex was 10.9 months compared to 10.8 months for patients treated with doxorubicin. This is not a statistically significant, clinically meaningful increase in overall survival and thus the ZoptEC Phase 3 clinical study did not meet its primary endpoint. In addition, Zoptrex generally performed no better than the comparator drug with respect to the secondary efficacy endpoints. For example, the median period of progression-free survival of the patients in the Zoptrex arm of the study was identical to that for patients in the doxorubicin arm. Finally, there was no meaningful difference between the two arms with respect to safety; the number of patients with cardiac disorders was similar – eight in the Zoptrex arm and nine in the doxorubicin arm. Therefore, the results of the study are not supportive to pursue regulatory approval."
David A. Dodd, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated, "We are very disappointed with the outcome of the ZoptEC Phase 3 clinical study. Based on this outcome, we do not anticipate conducting clinical trials of Zoptrex with respect to any other indications. I would like to thank my colleagues within Aeterna Zentaris and our external team of clinical investigators for their dedication to and contributions on this project." Commenting on the Company’s plans, Mr. Dodd continued, "Our focus has now shifted entirely to filing our new drug application for Macrilen and, if the product is approved, to its commercial launch as soon as possible. We will also optimize our resources to be consistent with our focus on Macrilen-related efforts. We continue to believe in the potential that Macrilen provides for us to become a focused specialty pharmaceutical company. Our intention is to submit the Macrilen NDA in the third quarter of 2017 and, if the product receives FDA approval, to commercially launch the product in the first quarter of 2018."