AEterna Zentaris, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, has signed a development, commercialization and licensing agreement with sanofi-aventis for the development, registration and marketing of cetrorelix in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for the US market.

Cetrorelix, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonist, is currently in a Phase 3 program in BPH, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, affecting more than 20 million men in the US alone.
 
Under the terms of the agreement, sanofi-aventis will make an initial $30 million upfront payment to AEterna Zentaris which will also be entitled to receive up to $135 million in additional payments upon achieving certain pre-established regulatory and commercial milestones.

First efficacy results are expected during the third quarter of 2009 with an NDA filing targeted in 2010.