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 April 2006
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
DOCUMENTS DESCRIPTION
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1. Press release dated April 4, 2006: AEterna Zentaris Discloses Preclinical
Results on Various Drug Candidates at the American Association for
Cancer Research (AACR) Meeting in Washington
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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 DISCLOSES PRECLINICAL RESULTS ON VARIOUS DRUG CANDIDATES AT
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH (AACR) MEETING IN WASHINGTON
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, APRIL 4, 2006 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; Nasdaq:
AEZS) today announced that it presented abstracts outlining preclinical results
on various novel drug candidates for multiple cancers at the American
Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, currently held in Washington,
D.C.
TUBULIN INHIBITORS
The first poster entitled, "A NEW HIGHLY POTENT CYTOTOXIC COMPOUND WITH
INHIBITORY EFFECTS ON TUBULIN POLYMERIZATION AND TOPOISOMERASE II" (abstract
#499), reviewed results of a preclinical trial on ZEN-012/ZEN-017.
Anti-proliferative effects of the active metabolite ZEN-012 were studied in a
panel of 35 established human tumor cell lines including multi-drug resistant
phenotypes. Given orally once weekly, ZEN-017 proved to be a potent inhibitor of
IN VIVO tumor growth in melanoma, mammary, colon, as well as in leukemia cancers
at acceptable and very well tolerated doses (40-80 mg/kg b.w.). The novel
prodrug ZEN-017 is cleaved under physiological conditions to the active
component ZEN-012. Mode-of-action studies revealed that ZEN-012 effectively
inhibits tubulin polymerization (IC50 = 1490 nM) and induces apoptosis in U937
cells. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that ZEN-012 inhibits topoisomerase II
activity.
"These preclinical results on ZEN-012/ZEN-017 demonstrated its capacity of
inhibiting both tubulin polymerization and topoisomerase II as well as inducing
apoptosis in multi-drug resistant cancer cells. These multiple mechanisms of
action are what sets ZEN-012/ZEN-017 apart from other current compounds under
development. ZEN-012/ZEN-017 continues to be evaluated in a series of safety
pharmacology and toxicology studies and we expect to take this compound from the
preclinical stage into a clinical Phase 1/2 study by year-end", underlined Dr.
Jurgen Engel, Executive Vice President Global R&D and Chief Operating Officer at
AEterna Zentaris.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION INHIBITORS
The second poster entitled, "NOVEL PYRIDOPYRAZINE-UREA DERIVATIVES ARE HIGHLY
SELECTIVE DUAL MECHANISM INHIBITORS OF PI3K AND ERK1/2"' (abstract #3808)
related preclinical results for signal transduction inhibitors in breast, colon
and pancreatic cancer. In cancer, both the ras-Raf-Mek-Erk and the PI3K-Akt
signalling pathways are constitutively activated through multiple mechanisms,
and thus exert several key functions in tumor development and
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progression. The results of research to date indicate that both the MAPK and the
PI3K signalling pathways represent promising therapeutic targets for the
treatment of malignant tumors.
"We have been focusing efforts on single and dual inhibitors of Raf-Mek-Erk and
PI3K-Akt pathways. Results disclosed showed that we now have identified a new
compound class with inhibitory activity against both the Erk and PI3K pathways,
therefore demonstrating their unique potential in treating malignant tumors",
stated Dr. Engel.
CYTOTOXIC CONJUGATES
The third poster entitled, "TARGETED THERAPY OF GYNECOLOGICAL TUMORS WITH
CYTOTOXIC PEPTIDE ANALOGS" (abstract #3082) outlined preclinical results on
cytotoxic conjugates for gynaecological cancers. Human breast, endometrial and
ovarian cancer cell lines were tested for the presence of Luteinizing Hormone
Releasing Hormone (LHRH), bombesin and somatostatin receptors. Anti-tumor
activity and toxicity of targeted cytotoxic analogs of LHRH (AN-207), bombesin
(AN-215) and somatostatin (AN-238) were evaluated in nude mouse models of these
tumors and compared with the non-targeted cytotoxic radical
2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin, a potent derivative of doxorubicin developed in
collaboration with Noble Prize laureate Dr. Andrew V. Schally of the U.S.
Veterans Administration in Miami. Tumor inhibition in these models ranged
between 40%-68%. Authors, including Dr. Schally, concluded that targeted therapy
of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer with cytotoxic peptide analogs AN-207,
AN-215 and AN-238 is more effective and less toxic than non-targeted
chemotherapy. Among various cytotoxic peptide analogs under development by
AEterna Zentaris, the compound AN-152, a cytotoxic conjugate with an LHRH
analog, is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial.
"All preclinical studies presented at the AACR meeting are part of our strategy
aimed at bringing at least one preclinical compound to the clinical stage each
year, as we did last year with AN-152, in gynaecological and breast cancers.
They also reflect the quality of our deep and focused pipeline as we continue to
develop next generation cancer treatments from early drug discovery right
through to advanced-stage clinical trials", concluded Gilles Gagnon, President
and Chief Executive Officer at AEterna Zentaris.
ABOUT AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a growing global biopharmaceutical company engaged in
the discovery, development and marketing of therapies for cancer and endocrine
disorders.
AEterna Zentaris also owns 48.4% of the equity of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc.
(TSX: ATB.sv) and 64.8% of its voting rights. Atrium is a developer,
manufacturer and marketer of science-based products for the cosmetics,
pharmaceutical, chemical and nutritional industries.
News releases and additional information are available at
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
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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 Jenene Thomas
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406 (418) 655-6420 or (908) 996-3154
paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com jenene.thomas@aeternazentaris.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: April 4, 2006 By: /s/ Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and
Corporate Secretary