Aeterna stock jumps, ebbs after cancer trial data

Tue Nov 24, 4:51 PM

TORONTO (Reuters) - Shares of Aeterna Zentaris jumped 16 percent early on Tuesday after the biotech company said its uterus cancer treatment met its primary goal in a mid-stage trial. But shares pared gains on doubts about the significance of the data.

The Quebec City-based company said its compound to treat endometrial cancer, which affects the lining of the uterus, exceeded its goal of a positive response in five or more patients.

However analysts said the research was not enough to assess how well the drug would work.

In a research note, Versant Partners analyst Douglas Loe said the results were neutral to valuation and maintained his 'Neutral' rating on the company's stock.

Aeterna shares closed up 1.9 percent at C$1.07 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, after touching a high of C$1.22 earlier in the day.

Aeterna said cancer of the endometrium accounts for about 6 percent of all cancers in women. In Europe alone, there are an estimated 26,000 new cases of the disease and 17,000 deaths each year.

($1=$1.06 Canadian)

(Reporting by Scott Anderson and Euan Rocha; editing by Janet Guttsman)