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 February 2005
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-______
DOCUMENTS INDEX
Documents Description
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1. Press release dated February 17, 2005 - AEterna Zentaris Subsidiary
Atrium Biotechnologies Files Preliminary Prospectus for Initial
Public Offering
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[AETERNA LOGO]
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 SUBSIDIARY ATRIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES FILES
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS FOR INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, FEBRUARY 17, 2005 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ;
Nasdaq: AEZS) today announced that its 61.1%-owned subsidiary Atrium
Biotechnologies Inc. has filed a preliminary prospectus with the securities
regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada in connection with an
initial public offering of subordinate voting shares. The offering consists of a
treasury issue by Atrium and a secondary offering by SGF Soquia Inc., a
subsidiary of Societe generale de financement du Quebec.
The preliminary prospectus, which contains Atrium's audited consolidated
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, will shortly
be available on-line at www.sedar.com.
Atrium's subordinate voting shares have not been registered under the United
States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within
the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent
U.S registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.
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 five
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),
and has successfully completed a broad Phase II program in endometriosis and
benign prostatic 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 61.1% of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc., 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.
[AETERNA LOGO]
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
Paul Burroughs
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406
paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Ginette Vallieres
Tel. : (418) 652-8525 ext. 265
Courriel : ginette.vallieres@aeternazentaris.com
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: February 23, 2005 By: /s/Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and
Corporate Secretary