Aeterna Zentaris Commences Promotional Activities for EMD Serono's Saizen® [Somatropin (rDNA origin) for Injection]

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[{"type":"text","content":"\n\nQUÉBEC CITY, July 27, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) today announced that it has started promoting Saizen® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] in 25 territories in the United States, pursuant to its co‑promotion agreement signed this past May with EMD Serono, the U.S. biopharmaceutical businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Saizen® is a recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) registered in the U.S. for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children and adults. \n\nUnder the agreement, Aeterna Zentaris details Saizen® to designated medical professionals in addition to EMD Serono's current promotional activities. Payment to Aeterna Zentaris is based on new eligible patient starts on Saizen®, above an agreed-upon baseline. \n\nJude Dinges, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Aeterna Zentaris, commented, \"Our  sales force has initiated the promotion of Saizen®, a product with a broad portfolio of devices and comprehensive patient support services. We recognize the value of direct promotion in this category and we look forward to achieving increased market share and growth for Saizen® by significantly increasing the share-of-voice in support of Saizen®.\"\n\nDavid A. Dodd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aeterna Zentaris also stated, \"This exciting start of the field promotion of Saizen® represents another important step in the transformation of Aeterna Zentaris into a commercially operating company. With its ongoing efforts in the development of electronic recombinant human growth hormone injection devices, EMD Serono is a leader in the field of growth hormone and offers us with Saizen®, a perfect fit with the endocrinology portfolio that we are developing. We will continue to look for products that we can co-promote, in-license or acquire as we build our portfolio and our commercial capabilities.\"\n\nAbout Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)\n\nGrowth hormone deficiency occurs when the pituitary gland in the brain is unable to produce adequate amounts of growth hormone and it may have childhood and adulthood onset. In children, growth hormone deficiency causes poor growth, while in adults, symptoms may include reduced energy levels and muscle strength, altered body composition, r...

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