AEterna Zentaris says cetrorelix did not meet goals in trial, and will focus on other drugs

AEterna Zentaris says prostate drug fails in study

NEW YORK — Canadian drugmaker AEterna Zentaris Inc. said Monday its enlarged prostate drug cetrorelix did not meet its main goal in a late-stage clinical study.

AEterna Zentaris said there were no clear differences in effectiveness between the drug and placebo. It said most of the patients in the study had improved urine flow after 52 weeks of the study. The company said it will shift its focus to several cancer drugs.

Those products include perifosine, which AEterna Zentaris is developing through a partnership with Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc.

In midday trading, shares of AEterna Zentaris dropped 21 cents, or 18.7 percent, to 91 cents.