Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> October 13, 1997
DR. ERIC DUPONT founded Aeterna Laboratories in 1991 while completing
his Ph.D. in physiology-endocrinology and a certificate in business
administration at Universite Laval. Dr. Dupont also completed post-
doctoral studies in neuro-endocrinology at the Centre de Recherche de
l'Hopital Notre-Drame de Montreal, a research center affiliated with the
Universite de Montreal. During his studies, Dr. Dupont was the recipient
of a fellowship from the Medical Research Council of Canada from 1990 to
1993 and was the laureate of numerous awards of excellence for his work.
Dr. Dupont is one of the named inventors of the patent on the
angiogenesis inhibitor compound AE-941/Neovastat filed by Aeterna. Some
prestigious organizations have already recognized the quality of Dr.
Dupont's achievements as well as those of his company, such as the
Fondation Armand-Frappier (Prizewinner for "Emerging Industries," 1996),
the Association des diplomes de l'Universite Laval ("Raymond-Blais"
Medal, 1996), the Caldwell Partners International ("Top 40 Under Forty,"
1996), as well as the Chambre de commerce of Sainte-Foy (Fideide High
Technology, 1994, Entreprise de l'Annee, 1996). Dr. Dupont is the author
or co-author of over fifty scientific publications and lectures, which
lectures he has given in America, Europe and Asia. Dr. Dupont is also
President of the Board of Directors and Scientific Board of Aeterna
Laboratories. Here are some of Dr. Dupont's main achievements: Discovery
of an extraction and manufacturing process for angiogenesis inhibiting
products (AE-941 and Neovastat_) that can control the formation of new
blood vessels without affecting healthy tissues and organs. A patent was
obtained in the United States for this process and others. Development
of angiogenesis inhibiting products -- AE-941 are pending -- that can be
used in some fifteen diseases such as solid tumor cancers, rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoarthritis as well as certain ocular and dermatological
diseases such as psoriasis. The innovative approach developed by Dr.
Dupont consists in inhibiting the progression of new blood vessels
without affecting healthy tissues and organs. Realization of a clinical
study program on Neovastat_ for various solid-tumor cancers.
Commercialization of a cosmetic ingredient with anti-aging properties
discovered by Aeterna less than two years after a partnership agreement
was signed with the multinational Estee Lauder inc. Initial public
offering in December 1995 with the listing of Aeterna's stock on the
Montreal Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Aeterna is a leading
biotechnology company in Canada and is one of the world leader in the
development of anti-angiogenic therapies. Profile
-- of Aeterna Laboratories.
Dr. Dupont: First, Aeterna Laboratories is a public medical biotech
company that I founded
