LOGO OF
AETERNA LABORATORIES INC.
P R E S S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AETERNA DISCOVERS POTENT ANTIANGIOGENIC ACTIVITy
IN A CLASS OF MOLECULES ISOLATED FROM NEOVASTAT
COMPANY FILES NEW PATENT APPLICATION
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC, JUNE 13, 2001 - AEterna Laboratories Inc. (TSE: AEL,
NASDAQ: AELA) has discovered potent antiangiogenic activity in a class of
molecules isolated from Neovastat. The Company has filed a patent application
with the United States Patent and Trademark Office related to this finding,
which covers compositions of matter and methods of use for the treatment of
diseases complicated by angiogenesis. More than twenty diseases are related to
angiogenesis, including cancer.
"The recent research done in our characterization program that has led to the
filing of this patent application, enabled our experts to identify active
molecules involved in inhibiting the proliferation of endothelial cells," said
Dr. Pierre Falardeau, Vice President, Scientific Affairs at AEterna. "This
finding confirms our hypothesis that Neovastat's mechanisms of action are not
triggered by a single active molecule but that multiple molecules are involved
in inhibiting the multi-faceted angiogenic process."
"Characterization of Neovastat has so far broadened our intellectual property
portfolio to 10 patents," added Gilles Gagnon, Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer at AEterna. "We are therefore able to provide our
pharmaceutical partners with not only a well patented product in its final stage
of clinical development with a large market potential, but to also offer them a
potential pipeline."
ABOUT AETERNA AND NEOVASTAT/AE-941
AEterna Laboratories Inc. is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company and a
frontrunner in the field of antiangiogenesis. Its lead product,
Neovastat/AE-941, is being investigated in three major therapeutic areas:
oncology, dermatology and ophthalmology.
Neovastat is a novel antiangiogenic product with multiple mechanisms of action
(VEGF, MMP's 2,9,12, Apoptosis, tPA) that blocks angiogenesis -- the process
involved in the formation of new blood vessels which are needed in order for
cancerous tumors and other pathological conditions to develop.
Neovastat is currently used in two Phase III pivotal clinical trials for the
treatment of lung and kidney cancer as well as in a Phase II pivotal trial for
the treatment of multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. These trials are
currently held in more than 125 clinical institutions in Canada, the U.S. and in
several European countries. For more information, please call 1-888-349-3232
(North America).
AEterna is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AEL and on
Nasdaq under the symbol AELA.
AEterna's news releases and additional information are available on its Web site
at www.aeterna.com.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and
uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to
pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies,
the ability of the Company to take advantage of the business opportunities in
the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and
general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult the Company's
ongoing quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities
commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to
the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to rely on these
forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update these
forward-looking statements.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
CANADA USA
Paul Burroughs Investor and Media Relations:
Director of Communications Ms. Lisa Lindberg
AEterna Laboratories Inc. The Investor Relations Group Inc.
Tel.: 418-652-8525, ext. 406 Tel.: 212-825-3210
Fax: 418-577-7700 Fax: 212-825-3229
E-mail: paul.burroughs@aeterna.com E-mail: TheProTeam@aol.com