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 August 2008
Commission File No. 000-30752
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 /X/ Form 40-F / /
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/
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
1. Press Release dated August 12, 2008: AEterna Zentaris Reports Second
Quarter 2008 Financial and Operating Results
[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.aezsinc.com
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
AETERNA ZENTARIS REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2008 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS
ALL AMOUNTS ARE IN U.S. DOLLARS
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, AUGUST 12, 2008 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS, TSX:
AEZ), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrinology and oncology,
today reported financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June
30, 2008.
SECOND QUARTER 2008 HIGHLIGHTS
- Advancement of cetrorelix Phase 3 program in BPH;
- First efficacy trial: patient enrollment completed;
- Second efficacy trial: patient enrollment ongoing / completion
planned for third quarter of 2008 remains on target;
- Safety trial: first patient dosing initiated.
- Completion of sale of Quebec City building for $7.1 million.
Juergen Ernst, Chairman, Interim President and CEO at AEterna Zentaris
commented, "During the quarter, we achieved our key objectives as our Phase 3
program in BPH with our lead compound cetrorelix met all recruitment goals and
remains on track, with first results expected in the third quarter of 2009.
Furthermore, we monetized our Quebec City building which provided additional
non-dilutive funding. Over the next few months, we will focus on advancing our
Phase 3 program in BPH with cetrorelix, while we endeavour to conclude
additional non-dilutive transactions and strategic partnerships."
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2008
CONSOLIDATED SALES AND ROYALTIES increased to $8.2 million for the three-month
period ended June 30, 2008, compared to $7.7 million for the same period in
2007. The increase in sales and royalties for the three-month period ended June
30, 2008 is related primarily to additional sales of Cetrotide(R), partly offset
by the exclusion of sales from Impavido(R) in the second quarter of 2008.
[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
LICENSE FEES REVENUES decreased to $2.2 million for the three-month period ended
June 30, 2008, compared to $3.9 million for the same period in 2007. The
decrease for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, is mainly attributable
to the termination of the Company's licensing agreement with Solvay in 2007,
which triggered additional amortization of upfront payments in the second
quarter of 2007.
CONSOLIDATED R&D COSTS, NET OF TAX CREDITS AND GRANTS were $17.3 million for the
three-month period ended June 30, 2008 compared to $7.8 million for the same
period in 2007. Additional R&D expenses for the three-month period ended June
30, 2008, are mainly related to the advancement of our Phase 3 program in BPH
with our lead product, cetrorelix.
CONSOLIDATED SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE (SG&A) EXPENSES were $6.6
million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 compared to $4.5 million
for the same period in 2007. The increase in SG&A expenses for the three-month
period ended June 30, 2008 is primarily due to non-recurring corporate expenses
related to organizational changes, including severance paid to the former
President and CEO as well as to the Senior Vice President and CBO that were
implemented in the second quarter of 2008.
CONSOLIDATED NET LOSS for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 was $20.6
million or $0.39 per basic and diluted share, compared to $4.8 million or $0.09
per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2007. The increase in net
loss for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, compared to the same period
in 2007, is primarily attributable to the increased R&D costs related to the
advancement of cetrorelix into our Phase 3 program for the treatment of BPH and
non-recurring SG&A corporate costs.
The consolidated cash and short-term investments were $24.8 million as at June
30, 2008.
CONFERENCE CALL
Management will be hosting a conference call for the investment community
beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today, Tuesday, August 12, to discuss second
quarter 2008 results. To participate in the live conference call by telephone,
please dial 416-644-3430, 514-807-8791 or 800-814-4862. Individuals interested
in listening to the conference call on the Internet may do so by visiting
www.aezsinc.com. A replay will be available on the Company's Web site for 30
days.
ABOUT AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine
therapy and oncology with proven expertise in drug discovery, development and
commercialization.
News releases and additional information are available at www.aezsinc.com.
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[AETERNA ZENTARIS 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. We disclaim any
obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any
revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect
future results, events or developments except if we are requested by a
governmental authority or applicable law.
CONTACTS
INVESTOR RELATIONS MEDIA RELATIONS
Dennis Turpin, CA Paul Burroughs
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Director of Communications
(908) 626-5503 (418) 652-8525 ext. 406
dturpin@aezsinc.com pburroughs@aezsinc.com
-30-
ATTACHMENT: Financial summary
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[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
(IN THOUSANDS OF US DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE
AND PER SHARE DATA)
THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
UNAUDITED 2008 2007 2008 2007
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$ $ $ $
REVENUES
Sales and royalties 8,250 7,698 16,192 15,020
License fees 2,207 3,853 4,013 5,765
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10,457 11,551 20,205 20,785
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OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of sales 4,758 3,075 9,362 6,385
R&D costs, net of tax credits and grants 17,345 7,815 31,034 15,722
Selling, general and administrative 6,606 4,517 11,010 9,410
Depreciation and amortization
Property, plant and equipment 397 392 766 757
Intangible assets 876 928 1,716 1,990
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29,982 16,727 53,888 34,264
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LOSS FROM OPERATIONS (19,525) (5,176) (33,683) (13,479)
OTHER REVENUES (EXPENSES)
Interest income 311 300 588 875
Interest expense (53) (53) (68) (53)
Foreign exchange (loss) gain (502) (637) 1,753 (596)
Loss on disposal of long-lived assets held for sale (810) - (35) -
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(1,054) (390) 2,238 226
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LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES (20,579) (5,566) (31,445) (13,253)
INCOME TAX RECOVERY - 731 - 3,275
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NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (20,579) (4,835) (31,445) (9,978)
NET (LOSS) EARNINGS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - (11) - 22
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NET LOSS FOR THE PERIOD (20,579) (4,846) (31,445) (9,956)
==========================================================================================================================
NET LOSS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Basic and diluted (0.39) (0.09) (0.59) (0.19)
==========================================================================================================================
NET LOSS PER SHARE
Basic and diluted (0.39) (0.09) (0.59) (0.19)
==========================================================================================================================
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES
Basic and diluted 53,187,470 53,179,470 53,187,470 53,179,470
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[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
(IN THOUSANDS OF US DOLLARS)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS JUNE 30, December 31,
UNAUDITED 2008 2007
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$ $
Cash and short-term investments 24,827 41,387
Other current assets 18,018 18,193
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42,845 59,580
Long-term assets 52,704 63,783
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Total assets 95,549 123,363
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Current liabilities 24,046 22,255
Deferred revenues 3,112 3,333
Long-term payable 235 -
Employee future benefits 10,337 9,184
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37,730 34,772
Shareholders' equity 57,819 88,591
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Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 95,549 123,363
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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: August 13, 2008 By: /s/Dennis Turpin
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Dennis Turpin
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer