Aeterna Laboratories Inc.: process patent for AE941 accepted in the United States.

SAINTE-FOY, Quebec--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 1996--AETERNA LABORATORIES (ME, TSE: AEL) Aeterna Laboratories Inc. announced today that the process patent for manufacturing AE941 has been officially accepted by the Patent and Trademark Office in the United States.

This technological innovation, developed by a group of researchers headed by Dr. Eric Dupont, Ph.D., president and CEO of Aeterna Laboratories, now has patent protection in the United States. It also has patents pending in over 82 countries, including Canada, under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

AE941 is an angiogenesis inhibitor with the potential to control diseases such as cancer with solid tumours, psoriasis and arthritis, as well as some dermatological and ophthalmologic conditions (acne and rosacea). To date, no side effects or toxicity have been associated with its use. The investigational new drug application will be submitted this fall, with the objective of beginning Phase I and II clinical studies on AE941 for use in cancer treatment before the end of 1996.

Aeterna Laboratories Inc. is the second largest medical biotechnology company in Quebec and among the 10 largest in Canada. It is involved primarily in the development of angiogenesis inhibitors, which prevent the formation of new blood vessels.

CONTACT: Aeterna Laboratories Inc.

Richard Bordeleau, 418/527-8525