It is expected to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer tumors by reducing the blood supply to tumor cells in the body. AE-941 has reduced the number of metastases and the growth of the primary tumor in animal studies. Animal models showed a significant 70 per cent reduction in the number of lung metastases and a 60 per cent reduction in the growth of breast primary tumors. Some new drugs under clinical investigation have serious side effects that limit their further development. Side effects are the primary reason that patients must stop cancer treatments, namely chemotherapy-based treatments.
Results obtained to date are very encouraging.
We are very pleased with the first results obtained with the collaboration of several university hospitals. These results were well received by the scientific community and enable the company to continue the development of AE-941 as a treatment for lung cancer. The next steps of AE- 941's development will have to confirm the product's efficacy on a larger number of patients,'' commented Dr. Dupont, Ph.D., President and CEO of AEterna Laboratories. AEterna Laboratories performs research and development activities on drugs that can control diseases complicated by angiogenesis. AEterna is a leading biotechnology company in Canada and is a world leader in the development of anti-angiogenic therapies.