FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
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Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of May 2005
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
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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
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Documents Description
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1. Press release dated May 26, 2005 -AEterna Zentaris Holds Annual
Shareholders' Meeting
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AETERNA ZENTARIS
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 HOLDS ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, MAY 26, 2005 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ, NASDAQ: AEZS)
held its Annual Shareholders' Meeting earlier today at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in
Montreal. Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief Executive Officer of AEterna
Zentaris, along with other company officials, discussed achievements for 2004
and year-to-date and also gave an outlook for the coming months.
"2004 was a year of solid growth and development for our Company," said Gilles
Gagnon. "The year clearly demonstrated the established worth and steadily
growing potential of our pipeline, thereby gradually building value for the
Company and its shareholders. We made important advancements at every stage of
the process that characterizes success in the biopharmaceutical industry: in the
laboratory, clinical testing, alliance-making, acquisitions and above all, in
accessing the marketplace. Over the next twelve months, we will aggressively
pursue our growth strategy in order to attain our long-term goal of making
AEterna Zentaris, a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with its own
sales force in oncology," added Mr. Gagnon.
Prof. Jurgen Engel, Executive Vice President, Global R&D and Chief Operating
Officer of AEterna Zentaris, further commented that in 2004, the Company focused
its efforts on the advancement of its clinical pipeline, with particular
emphasis on cetrorelix and perifosine. "Following the successful completion of a
broad Phase II program with cetrorelix, we are very appreciative of the
commitment and substantial financial support that our partners are providing to
the strategic late-stage development program of this product in endometriosis
and in benign prostate hyperplasia. The development program of perifosine is
also making great strides as demonstrated by the recent initiation of two Phase
II trials in breast cancer by our North American partner, Keryx
Biopharmaceuticals, who also reported encouraging interim data of a Phase II
trial in prostate cancer last week. Furthermore, we will initiate our own
additional Phase II trials with perifosine in combination with radiotherapy for
multiple forms of cancer in the upcoming months. With an exciting R&D portfolio
on hand, we remain committed to generating sustainable shareholder value through
the preclinical and clinical advancement of our drug candidates," concluded
Prof. Engel.
AETERNA ZENTARIS
FINANCIAL POSITION
"Our financial position remains strong with $66.5 million in consolidated cash
and short-term investments, of which $50 million are dedicated to the aggressive
pursuit of our biopharmaceutical activities in collaboration with our partners,"
commented Dennis Turpin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at AEterna.
"Our subsidiary, Atrium, which recently completed a successful initial public
offering, is a strategic asset for our Company as we now have a 50.3%-stake in
Atrium whose market capitalization reaches nearly $300 million."
SHAREHOLDERS MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
2004 AND YEAR-TO-DATE ACHIEVEMENTS
>> MARKETED PRODUCTS
Impavido(R)(miltefosine) - Received additional marketing approval in
Colombia and Germany
>> CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
Cetrorelix
o Successful completion of a 7 Phase II trial program in gynaecology
and urology
o Commitment by Solvay, Shionogi and Nippon Kayaku to fully complete
the late-stage development program in endometriosis and benign
prostate hyperplasia (BPH)
Perifosine
o Phase II results in multiple forms of cancer
o Recent initiation by Keryx of Phase II trials in breast cancer
D-63153
o Progressed to Phase II trial for prostate cancer and BPH
Teverelix
o Phase II trial results in prostate cancer
o Initiation of Phase II trial in BPH
AN-152
o Progressed to Phase I trial in breast, ovarian and endometrium
cancer
EP-1572
o Phase I results
o Progressed to Phase I trial in growth hormone related disease
>> SUBSIDIARY ATRIUM
o Sales of $177M and operating income of $26.1M in 2004
o Strategic acquisitions
Pure Encapsulations Inc. (United States)
MultiChem (Canada)
o Successful IPO in April 2005 / TSX: ATB.sv
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AETERNA ZENTARIS
OUTLOOK 2005
The Company's specific goals for 2005 include:
>> MARKETED PRODUCTS
Impavido(R)
o Obtain additional marketing approvals
>> CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
Cetrorelix
o Pursue full development program in endometriosis with Solvay, as
well as in BPH with Shionogi and Nippon Kayaku
Perifosine
o Initiate Phase II trials in combination with radiotherapy and/or
chemotherapy
D-63153
o Initiate Phase II trial program in prostate cancer and BPH with
Spectrum
>> PRECLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
Advance one or more preclinical products into clinical development
stage
ABOUT AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is an oncology and endocrine therapy focused
biopharmaceutical company with proven expertise in drug discovery, development
and commercialization. The Company's broad 20 product pipeline leverages six
different therapeutic approaches, including LHRH antagonists and signal
transduction inhibitors. The lead LHRH antagonist compound, cetrorelix, is
currently marketed for in vitro fertilization under the brand name Cetrotide(R).
Cetrorelix is also in late-stage clinical development for endometriosis and
benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The lead signal transduction inhibitor
compound, perifosine, is an orally-active AKT inhibitor that is in several Phase
II trials for multiple cancers.
AEterna Zentaris owns 50.3% of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. (TSX: ATB.sv), a
leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of value-added products for the
cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemical and nutritional industries.
News releases and additional information about AEterna Zentaris are available on
its 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
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AETERNA ZENTARIS
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
Paul Burroughs
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406
paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com
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INVESTOR RELATIONS
Ginette Vallieres
(418) 652-8525 ext. 265
ginette.vallieres@aeternazentaris.com
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EUROPE
Matthias Seeber
+49-6942602-3425
matthias.seeber@zentaris.com
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SIGNATURE
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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: May 26, 2005 By: /s/Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and Corporate Secretary