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 April 2005
AETERNA ZENTARIS 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 April 6, 2005 - AEterna Zentaris Subsidiary Atrium
Biotechnologies Completes Initial Public and Secondary Offering
Totalling $75 Million
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[AETERNA ZENTARIS 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 COMPLETES INITIAL PUBLIC AND
SECONDARY OFFERING TOTALLING $75 MILLION
ALL AMOUNTS ARE IN CANADIAN DOLLARS
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, APRIL 6, 2005 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; Nasdaq:
AEZS) today announced that its subsidiary, Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. (TSX:
ATB.sv), has successfully completed its initial public offering and secondary
offering of 6,250,000 subordinate voting shares, issued at a price of $12 per
share, for total proceeds of $75 million. Atrium Biotechnologies' subordinate
voting shares will trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
"ATB.sv".
The 6,250,000 subordinate voting shares were sold to a syndicate of underwriters
co-led by RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and National Bank Financial Inc., and
including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., GMP Securities Ltd.,
HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc. and Loewen, Ondaatje, McCutcheon Limited.
Dennis Turpin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AEterna Zentaris,
said: "We are very pleased with the financial market's reception of Atrium
Biotechnologies' Initial Public Offering which placed its market capitalization
at nearly $345 million. We now hold a 50.7% participation, valued at nearly $175
million, in this subsidiary. The evolution and the IPO of Atrium Biotechnologies
represent one of the many ways we have and will continue to build value for our
shareholders. In addition to the significant value delivered by Atrium
Biotechnologies' IPO, we benefit from a strong cash position dedicated to the
execution of our biopharmaceutical activities of nearly $43 million. To this
end, we expect to aggressively advance our core programs within each one of our
five therapeutic approaches in oncology and endocrinology while monetizing
certain programs through out-licensing to further diversify our product
development and financial risk."
Gilles Gagnon, AEterna Zentaris' President and Chief Executive Officer, added:
"We believe that Atrium Biotechnologies' very successful IPO will enable it to
aggressively pursue its business strategy which includes selective acquisitions
of active ingredients and specialty chemicals, as well as health and nutrition
companies that offer synergies and complementary strengths. Atrium
Biotechnologies has an excellent track record of delivering growth through
acquisitions as well as organically and is a very significant asset for AEterna
Zentaris. In our pharmaceutical
[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
business, we look forward to executing our business strategy which includes the
advancement of our extensive product pipeline in collaboration with our
pharmaceutical partners. For one, cetrorelix, already marketed for IN VITRO
fertilization, is now in its final phase of development with Solvay for
endometriosis; an indication which represents a very large market opportunity
with unmet medical needs. Cetrorelix will also be further developed in benign
prostate hyperplasia with our Japanese partners Shionogi and Nippon Kayaku. In
itself, the recently announced clinical development program for cetrorelix
represents a significant commitment from our pharmaceutical partners who will
invest close to $100 million over the next three years to hopefully bring it to
market; thus delivering benefits to patients and value to our shareholders."
Atrium Biotechnologies' 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).
Cetrorelix is also in late-stage clinical development for 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 also owns 50.7% 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 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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[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
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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
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 6, 2005 By: /s/ Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and
Corporate Secretary