Aeterna Zentaris, a specialty biopharmaceutical company based in Québec, and China-based Sinopharm A-Think Pharmaceuticals have signed of an exclusive license and technology transfer agreement for Aeterna Zentaris’ lead anti-cancer compound, zoptarelin doxorubicin, for the initial indication of endometrial cancer for the Chinese, Hong Kong and Macau markets (the territory). Zoptarelin doxorubicin, a novel synthetic peptide carrier linked to doxorubicin, currently is in a ZoptEC (zoptarelin doxorubicin in endometrial cancer) phase III trial in endometrial cancer.

Aeterna Zentaris will be entitled to receive a non-refundable $1 million fee for the transfer of the company's technology for zoptarelin doxorubicin to SinopharmA-Think. SinopharmA-Think also has agreed to make additional payments to the company upon achieving certain pre-established regulatory and commercial milestones. SinopharmA-Think will be responsible for the development, production, registration and commercialization of the product in the territory.

Dr. Jia Zhidan, general manager of Sinopharm A-Think, said, "We believe zoptarelin doxorubicin can pioneer the use of conjugate technology in advanced endometrial cancer, as earlier clinical development with this product has shown encouraging data in overall survival and tolerability. We also believe that zoptarelin doxorubicin has the potential to become our star product in the future."