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 July 2003
AETERNA LABORATORIES INC.
(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-
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DOCUMENTS INDEX
DOCUMENTS DESCRIPTION
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1. Press Release dated July 7, 2003: AEterna enters into agreement
for a $35.6 million bought deal.
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[AETERNA LABORATOIRES LOGO] PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AETERNA ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT FOR A $35.6 MILLION BOUGHT DEAL
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT
INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN
THE UNITED STATES.
All amounts are in Canadian dollars
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA JULY 7, 2003 - AEterna Laboratories Inc. (TSE: AEL,
Nasdaq: AELA) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with a
syndicate of underwriters led by RBC Capital Markets and including National
Bank Financial Inc., Paradigm Capital Inc., Desjardins Securities Inc. and
Loewen, Ondaatje, McCutcheon Ltd., to issue and sell 4.5 million subordinate
voting shares of AEterna at a price of $7.90 per share. The Company has also
granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 1 million
subordinate voting shares. Gross proceeds of this transaction will be $35.6
million assuming that the underwriters' option is not exercised. The
transaction is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock
exchange approvals. Closing is expected on or about July 24, 2003.
The proceeds from this financing will be used by AEterna to continue the active
development of its lead antiangiogenic product, Neovastat, in oncology with
phase III clinical trials in renal cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer
and for the continued broadening of clinical and commercial opportunities not
only of Neovastat, but of the many other products in Aeterna's pipeline. The
proceeds will be also used for the Company's growth strategy based on strategic
alliances and acquisition of new technologies, as well as for general corporate
purposes.
ABOUT AETERNA LABORATORIES INC.
AEterna is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel
therapeutic treatments, mainly in oncology and endocrinology. The product
pipeline includes 12 products ranging from the preclinical to marketing stage.
AEterna's strategic worldwide partners include Access Oncology, Ardana
Bioscience, Baxter Healthcare S.A., German Remedies Ltd., Grupo Ferrer
Internacional S.A., Hainan Chang An Pharmaceutical Ltd., LG Life Sciences Ltd.,
Mayne Group, Medac GmbH, Nippon Kayaku, Serono International S.A., Shionogi &
Co., Ltd., Solvay Pharmaceuticals B.V., and Teikoku Hormone Mfg. Co., Ltd.
AEterna owns 100% of the Frankfurt-based biopharmaceutical company, Zentaris
GmbH, having a strong expertise in the areas of endocrinology and oncology.
AEterna also owns 61.8% of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc., which develops and
markets nutritional supplements, as well as active ingredients and fine chemical
products intended for the cosmetics, nutrition, fine chemicals and
pharmaceuticals 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 and its entities have 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. To find out more about the current phase III trial in
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non-small cell lung cancer, call 1-888-349-3232.
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) 577-7671 Fax: (418) 577-7700
E-mail: paul.burroughs@aeterna.com E-mail: jacques.raymond@aeterna.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 LABORATORIES INC.
DATE: JULY 8, 2003 By: /S/ CLAUDE VADBONCOEUR
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Claude Vadboncoeur
Vice President, Legal Affairs and
Corporate Secretary