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 January 2003
AETERNA LABORATORIES INC.
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
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
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Documents Description
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1. Press Release of January 13, 2003: AEterna Reports on its New Product
Pipeline and Clinical Development Strategy Following Zentaris Acquisition
[AETERNA LOGO]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AETERNA REPORTS ON ITS NEW PRODUCT PIPELINE AND CLINICAL
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOLLOWING ZENTARIS ACQUISITION
Main focus on oncology and endocrinology with a dozen products ranging
from preclinical development to market approval
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, JANUARY 13, 2003 - AEterna Laboratories Inc. (TSX: AEL;
NASDAQ: AELA) reported earlier today, during a conference call, on its new
product pipeline and clinical development strategy following its recent
acquisition of the German based biopharmaceutical company, Zentaris AG. In
oncology, the new combined product pipeline of this new entity encompasses six
clinical stage and two preclinical stage products. In endocrinology, one product
is already approved and marketed for IN VITRO fertilization and is close to
receiving market approval for Japan in 2003; one is currently in clinical stage;
and, two are at the preclinical stage. (SEE ATTACHED TWO-PAGE CHART FOR FULL
DETAILS ON PRODUCT PIPELINE).
"Zentaris provides us with experienced management and drug development teams, an
already marketed product, a solid financial position with a positive cash flow
for 2002, eight additional global pharmaceutical partnerships and an impressive
drug discovery platform," stated Dr. Eric Dupont, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer at AEterna. "I am convinced we have found the right partner to develop a
leadership position in two growing therapeutic areas, oncology and
endocrinology. We are also positioning AEterna to become a significant player in
the biopharmaceutical field at the international level."
AEterna's and Zentaris' combined clinical development strategy is based on five
factors; development costs, competitive environment, involvement of
pharmaceutical partners, time to market and potential markets for future drugs.
"Taking into account these factors and our portfolio of 12 products in
development, our strategy for Neovastat will now strictly focus on the two
ongoing Phase III studies in kidney cancer and lung cancer. Results of the
kidney cancer trial are expected by the first or second quarter of 2003, while
those of the lung cancer trial should be disclosed by the end of 2005," said
Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief Operating Officer at AEterna.
The new structure is expected to drive drug discovery on an ongoing-forward
basis through a state-of-the-art drug discovery unit, including a 100,000
proprietary compound library. "Our combined expertise will allow us to advance
multiple promising preclinical and clinical projects for the development of
novel treatments focused on oncology and endocrinology," explained Prof. Dr.
Jurgen Engel, Chief Executive Officer at Zentaris.
Zentaris expects to generate $32.6M CAN of revenue and to be cash flow positive
in 2002. Zentaris is debt-free and is expected to have a working capital in
excess of $37.5M CAN at December 31, 2002. "This acquisition brings added value
to our shareholders through risk diversification, as well as significant income
potential on a short- and long-term basis," concluded Dennis Turpin, Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer at AEterna.
ABOUT AETERNA LABORATORIES INC.
AEterna is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel
therapeutic treatments in oncology and endocrinology. AEterna owns 100% of the
biopharmaceutical company, Zentaris AG., based in Frankfurt, Germany. The
combined entity has a pipeline of a dozen products ranging from preclinical
stage up to market approval. AEterna and Zentaris have strategic alliances with
pharmaceutical partners worldwide such as Baxter Healthcare S.A., Grupo Ferrer,
Hainan Tianwang International Pharmaceutical, Mayne Group, Medac GmbH, Nippon
Kayaku Co., Ltd, Serono International S.A., Shionogi & Co., Ltd. and Solvay
Pharmaceuticals B.V.
AEterna also owns 61.8% of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc., which develops and
markets nutritional supplements, as well as active ingredients and fine
chemicals intended for the cosmetics, nutritional, fine chemical and
pharmaceutical industries. Atrium markets over 500 products in 20 countries to
industry leaders such as Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, Clarins, Chanel, Aventis,
SanofiSynthelabo and Nestle.
AEterna has 270 employees in Canada and Europe.
AEterna shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (AEL) and the Nasdaq
National Market (AELA).
News releases and additional information about AEterna are available on its Web
site at www.aeterna.com.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are 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 the business opportunities in
the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and
general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult the Company's
ongoing 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.
- 30 -
CANADA
MEDIA RELATIONS: INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Paul Burroughs Jacques Raymond
Tel.: (418) 652-8525 ext. 406 Tel.: (418) 652-8525 ext. 360
Cell.: (418) 573-8982 Cell.: (514) 703-5654
Fax: (418) 577-7700 Fax: (418) 577-7700
E-mail: paul.burroughs@aeterna.com E-mail: jacques.raymond@aeterna.com
USA EUROPE
THE INVESTOR RELATIONS GROUP ZENTARIS AG
Lisa Lindberg Matthias Seeber
Tel.: (212) 825-3210 Tel.: 011 49 69 4 26 02 34 25
Fax: (212) 825-3229 Fax: 011 49 69 4 26 02 34 44
E-mail: TheProTeam@aol.com E-mail: matthias.seeber@zentaris.de
(SEE ATTACHED TWO-PAGE CHART FOR FULL DETAILS ON PRODUCT PIPELINE).
AETERNA LABORATORIES INC.
PORTFOLIO AS OF JANUARY 13, 2003
PRODUCTS CLASS INDICATIONS STATUS PARTNERS COVERED TERRITORY
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ONCOLOGY
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CLINICAL
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Neovastat Multifunctional Renal cell Phase III - Grupo Ferrer Southern Europe, France,
angiogenesis carcinoma results Belgium, South and Central
inhibitor H1 2003 America
Medac GmbH Europe (North & East), U.K.
Mayne Pharma Australia, New Zealand, Canada
and Mexico
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Neovastat Multifunctional Non-small cell Phase III - Grupo Ferrer Southern Europe, France,
angiogenesis lung cancer results Belgium, South and Central
inhibitor In 2005 America
Medac GmbH Europe (North & East), U.K.
Mayne Pharma Australia, New Zealand, Canada
and Mexico
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D63153 LHRH Prostate cancer Phase II Baxter Oncology World
antagonist
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Perifosine Signal Radiosensitizer Phase I/II Access Oncology USA, Canada, Mexico
transduction Hormonal NCI
inhibitor/ refractory
Alkylphospho- prostate cancer
lipid Sarcoma
Head and neck
Melanoma
Breast
Pancreas
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Lobaplatin Platinum Breast cancer Approved in China Hainan China
derivative Small cell lung Tianwang
cancer International
Chronic Pharmaceutical
myelogeneous
leukaemia (CML)
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Teverelix LHRH Prostate cancer Phase I Ardana World (excl. Japan, Taiwan,
antagonist Korea)
Teikoku Hormone Japan, Taiwan, Korea
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RC-3095 Bombesin Lung Phase I
antagonist Colorectal
Gastric
Pancreas
Prostate
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PRECLINICAL
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AN-152/AN-238/ Cytotoxic- Solid tumors Preclinical
AN-215 Conjugate with LHRH,
bombesin and
somatostatin
receptors
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D82318 Tubulin Solid tumors Preclinical
inhibitor
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Page 4
ENDOCRINOLOGY
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CLINICAL
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Cetrotide(R) LHRH IN VITRO Marketed Serono World (excl. Japan)
(Cetrorelix) antagonist fertilization Market expected Shionogi Japan
(IVF) in H2 2003
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Cetrorelix LHRH Endometriosis Phase II Solvay World (excl. Japan)
antagonist Uterine myoma Shionogi Japan
Benign prostatic Nippon Kayaku Japan
hyperplasia (BPH)
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PRECLINICAL
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EP-1572 Growth hormone TBD Preclinical Ardana World
secretagogue
(GHS)
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LHRH- LHRH- Among others: Preclinical
peptidomimetic antagonist Benign prostatic
(oral) hyperplasia
Endometriosis
Male
contraception
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ANTI-INFECTIVES
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CLINICAL
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Viceral Market expected
Impavido(R) Alkylphospho- Leishmaniasis in 2003 in India
(Miltefosine) lipid ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cutaneous Phase III
Leishmaniasis
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COMPOUND LIBRARY (MORE THAN 100,000 COMPOUNDS)
Page 5
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 LABORATORIES INC.
Date: January 13, 2003 By: /s/ Claude Vadboncoeur
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Claude Vadboncoeur
Vice President, Legal Affairs and
Corporate Secretary