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news.The German Ministry of Education and Research has awarded $1.5m to Aeterna Zentaris for the development of cytotoxic conjugates of the proprietary cytotoxic compound disorazol Z and peptides targeting G-protein coupled receptors, including LHRH receptors, up to the clinical stage.
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Disorazol Z is a bacterially produced compound with cytotoxic activity in the sub-nanomolar range.
The proof-of-concept of LHRH-receptor targeting disorazol Z conjugates for the treatment of ovarian cancer has already been demonstrated in a xenograft mouse model.
The compounds being developed will combine the targeting principle successfully employed in Phase 2 with AEZS-108 (doxorubicin and LHRH-receptor targeting agent) with the novel cytotoxic disorazol Z.
The qualified project will be performed with Morphisto GmbH and the Helmholtz Institute in Saarbrucken, Germany, which will receive additional funding of approximately $0.7m.
Aeterna Zentaris CEO Juergen Engel said this $1.5m grant for the development of the disorazol Z conjugates is further acknowledgement of their innovative targeting concept.
"Using this funding, we will be able, with the help of our partners, to rapidly translate this technology into the clinical setting and will expand our AEZS-108 technology platform," Engel said.