FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of December 2004
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
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(Formerly named AEterna Laboratories Inc.)
1405, boul. du Parc-Technologique
Quebec, Quebec
Canada, G1P 4P5
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F Form 40-F X
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
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DOCUMENTS INDEX
DOCUMENTS DESCRIPTION
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1. Press release dated December 15, 2004 -- AEterna Zentaris Announces
Appointments to its Board, as well as to the Board and Management of its
Subsidiary Atrium Biotechnologies
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AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. 1405 du Parc-Technologique Blvd.
Quebec (Quebec) Canada G1P 4P5 T 418 652-8525 F 418 652-0881
www.aeternazentaris.com
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
AETERNA ZENTARIS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO ITS BOARD, AS WELL AS TO THE BOARD
AND MANAGEMENT OF ITS SUBSIDIARY ATRIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, DECEMBER 15, 2004 -- Dr. Eric Dupont, Chairman of AEterna
Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; Nasdaq: AEZS) today announced the appointment of Gerard
A. Limoges, CM, FCA, to its Board of Directors, replacing Dr. Francis Bellido,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Biomundis Biotechnology Investment
Fund. Mr. Limoges will also serve as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Pierre
MacDonald, former Chairman of this Committee, will remain Committee and Board
member. Furthermore, Dr. Dupont announced that an external representative of the
Societe Generale de Financement du Quebec (SGF) will be appointed to AEterna
Zentaris' Board in the next few months, following the departure of Henri A. Roy,
former President of the SGF.
"We are very proud to welcome Mr. Limoges to our Board of Directors. His vast
experience in business and finance should contribute in achieving our goals over
the next few years", stated Dr. Eric Dupont, Chairman of AEterna Zentaris. "I
would also like to thank Dr. Bellido and Mr. Roy for their contribution during
the last year."
ATRIUM'S BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Pierre Laurin, Chairman of the Board of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc.
(Atrium), AEterna Zentaris' 60%-owned subsidiary, announced the appointment of
Dr. Eric Dupont as Vice Chairman of the Board of Atrium. Luc Dupont, former Vice
Chairman and CEO, is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Atrium,
as well as Board member. Furthermore, Mr. Laurin appointed Gerard Limoges and
Jacques Gauthier to the Board of Atrium. Mr. Limoges will serve as Chairman of
the Audit Committee of Atrium, while Mr. Gauthier will act as the external
representative for the SGF to Atrium's Board replacing former Board member Henri
A. Roy.
"We are convinced that these appointments will reinforce Atrium's Board
structure and enable the Company to execute its strategic plan", stated Pierre
Laurin, Chairman of Atrium. "I would also like to thank Mr. Roy for his
contribution during the last year."
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ATRIUM'S MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS
Furthermore, the following key management appointments at Atrium were made. John
Dempsey is appointed Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Former Vice
President, Finance, Jocelyn Harvey, becomes Vice President, Mergers and
Acquisitions. Richard Bordeleau, formerly President at Atrium, is now President,
Health and Nutrition Division, while Charles Boulanger is appointed President,
Active Ingredients and Specialty Chemicals Division. Finally, Yvan Sergerie is
appointed Vice President International, Sales and Marketing, Health and
Nutrition Division.
"We are confident that with such enhanced experience to the Board and its
management, Atrium, under the strong leadership of Luc Dupont, President and CEO
of Atrium, is well positioned and structured to fully achieve its strategic
growth plan", added Gilles Gagnon, President and CEO of AEterna Zentaris.
GERARD A. LIMOGES, CM, FCA
Following a 37-year career at Ernst & Young, where he acted as Deputy Chairman,
Canada, from 1993 until his retirement in September 1999, Mr. Limoges now
devotes his time as Corporate Director of many companies including Galileo
Genomics, Biogentis Inc., Metro Inc., Fiducie Desjardins, Horizon Sciences &
Technologies Inc. and EngenuityTechnologies Inc.
Mr. Limoges has extensive experience in the fields of accounting, audit, mergers
and acquisitions and has worked for clients in such industries as the new
economy, services, retail, communications, transportation, finance and
insurance.
Mr. Limoges has also received the Order of Canada in 2002.
JACQUES GAUTHIER
Since March 2004, Mr. Gauthier has been Senior Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer at Kruger, Energy Division, considered as a main private
producer of electricity in Canada. Over the last ten years, he has held senior
executive positions including President and Chief Executive Officer at Boralex
and Vice President, Development at Cascades. Mr. Gauthier, who earned his law
degree from Sherbrooke University, has extensive experience in the following
sectors: acquisitions, financing, business development and operations.
JOHN DEMPSEY, MBA, CGA
Mr. Dempsey has over 15 years experience as a Senior Executive in corporate
financing and has developed an expertise in commercial transactions mostly in
innovative structures, negotiations and acquisitions. Mr. Dempsey worked for
large corporations such as Valeurs mobilieres Banque Laurentienne, Imprimerie
Quebecor, Bell Canada, BCE and UAP. He studied at McGill University where he
earned a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a MBA. He is also a
member of the Quebec Certified General Accountants professional corporation.
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CHARLES BOULANGER
Mr. Boulanger has vast experience in management, business development and
marketing, which has enabled him to become a top level executive at both the
national and international levels over the last twenty years, mostly in the
petrochemical industry. Mr. Boulanger is a graduate from Laval University in
mechanical engineering and prior to joining Atrium, was President of Pole Quebec
Chaudiere-Appalaches.
YVAN SERGERIE
Before joining Atrium, Mr. Sergerie had worked for the multinational Ciba Vision
Corporation, a division of Novartis, the fifth largest pharmaceutical company in
the world. During those years, he was, among other executive positions at Ciba,
President for North America and Vice President for Asia/Pacific. A graduate in
commerce from Montreal University's HEC (Hautes Etudes Commerciales), Mr.
Sergerie is a seasoned manager in marketing and business development.
ABOUT AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused in oncology and
endocrine therapy. Its extensive portfolio, from drug discovery to marketed
products, includes cetrorelix and perifosine. Cetrorelix, an LHRH antagonist
already marketed for IN VITRO fertilization under the brand name Cetrotide(R),
is also in advanced clinical development for the treatment of uterine myoma,
endometriosis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Perifosine, an
orally-active AKT inhibitor, is in several Phase II trials for multiple cancers.
AEterna Zentaris also owns 60% of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. This international
company develops, manufactures and markets active ingredients and specialty
chemicals for the cosmetics, chemical, pharmaceutical and nutritional
industries. Its active ingredients and specialty chemicals division offers more
than 1,000 products to some 2,000 customers while its health and nutrition
division has a line of 500 products geared to a network of 36,000 healthcare
professionals.
News releases and additional information about AEterna Zentaris are available on
its new Web site www.aeternazentaris.com.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties,
which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those
in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among
others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the
successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of the Company
to take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry,
uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes in economic
conditions. Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings
with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on
risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors
are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company does
not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.
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CONTACTS:
MEDIA RELATIONS INVESTOR RELATIONS
Paul Burroughs Jacques Raymond
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406 (418) 652-8525 ext. 360
paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com jacques.raymond@aeternazentaris.com
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U.S. INVESTOR RELATIONS EUROPE
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates Dr. Mathias Pietras
Kim Golodetz +49 69 42602 3423
(212) 838-3777 mathias.pietras@zentaris.de
kgolodetz@lhai.com ---------------------------
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
Date: December 15, 2004 By: /s/ Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and Corporate Secretary