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 October 2004
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-
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DOCUMENTS INDEX
DOCUMENTS DESCRIPTION
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1. Press release dated October 27, 2004 -AEterna Zentaris Enters into a
License and Collaboration Agreement with Tulane University for a Novel
Class of Potential Anti-Cancer Agents - GROWTH HORMONE RELEASING HORMONE
ANTAGONISTS
[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 ENTERS INTO A LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENT WITH TULANE
UNIVERSITY FOR A NOVEL CLASS OF POTENTIAL ANTI-CANCER AGENTS - GROWTH HORMONE
RELEASING HORMONE ANTAGONISTS
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, OCTOBER 27, 2004 -AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; NASDAQ:
AEZS) today announced that it has entered into a license and collaboration
agreement with Tulane University, in New Orleans, for the development of Growth
Hormone Releasing Hormone (GH-RH) antagonists, a novel class of potential
anti-cancer agents.
Under the terms of the agreement, AEterna Zentaris obtained worldwide, exclusive
rights to develop and commercialize GH-RH antagonists for all potential
indications, including cancer and endocrine disorders, in exchange for research
funding, an upfront fee and milestone payments, in addition to royalties on
future sales.
GH-RH antagonists represent a potential novel class of promising anti-cancer
agents that may offer distinct advantages as compared to other classes of
anti-tumor agents, with utility in a variety of tumor types. In addition to
their ability to exert both direct (by blocking GH-RH receptors on tumor cells)
and indirect (by blocking the secretion of GH from the pituitary and thereby
suppressing the production of IGF-I in the liver) anti-proliferative effect,
GH-RH antagonists should offer a favorable safety profile, including lack of
side effects associated with traditional chemotherapeutic agents.
"We are very pleased to continue our extremely successful cooperation with Prof.
Andrew V. Schally and his group at Tulane University with this exciting new
approach for the treatment of cancer and other endocrine diseases," said Prof.
Jurgen Engel, Executive Vice President, Global R&D and Chief Operating Officer
at AEterna Zentaris.
"We are very excited to enter this collaboration with AEterna Zentaris," said
Prof. Andrew V. Schally, Professor of Medicine and Head, Section of Experimental
Medicine at Tulane University. "GH-RH antagonists, in which our group has a wide
lead, are most promising for the therapy of a variety of tumors and may offer
distinct advantages over other classes of prospective anti-tumor agents,
including lack of severe side effects typical of chemotherapy."
[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
"The addition of GH-RH antagonists, which may offer broad therapeutic utility as
anti-cancer agents and endocrine therapy, represents an important step in our
continued effort on building a strategic portfolio in oncology and
endocrinology, our current areas of focus," concluded Mr. Gilles Gagnon,
President and Chief Executive Officer of AEterna Zentaris.
GH-RH is a hormone secreted in the brain by the hypothalamus that acts on the
pituitary gland to stimulate the synthesis and the release of growth hormone
(GH). Many tumor types are potentially dependent on levels of GH and
insulin-like growth factors, IGF-I and IGF-II, which stimulate cell
proliferation while inhibiting programmed cell death (apoptosis).
Initial, early evidence for the anti-tumor activity of GH-RH antagonists was
provided by research conducted at Tulane University, which demonstrated that
GH-RH antagonists inhibit the growth of a broad range of cancer cell lines,
including pancreatic, colorectal, prostate, breast, renal, small-cell/non
small-cell lung cancer, osteosarcoma and glioblastoma. Importantly, GH-RH
antagonists were shown to have a direct anti-proliferative effect IN VITRO on
certain cancer cell types, an action that is thought to be mediated by the
presence of locally-produced GH-RH, which may act as an autocrine growth factor,
and its receptors in the respective cancer cell lines. GH-RH antagonists also
inhibit indirectly the production of IGF-I and IGF-II in tumors.
ABOUT AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused in oncology and
endocrine therapy. Its extensive portfolio, from drug discovery to marketed
products, includes perifosine, an orally-active AKT inhibitor in several Phase
II trials for multiple cancers, and cetrorelix, an LHRH antagonist already
marketed for IN VITRO fertilization under the brand name Cetrotide(R), and also
in advanced clinical development for the treatment of uterine myoma,
endometriosis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
AEterna Zentaris also owns 60% of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc., which develops,
manufactures and markets active ingredients, specialty fine chemicals, cosmetic
and nutritional products for the cosmetics, chemical, pharmaceutical and
nutritional industries.
News releases and additional information about AEterna Zentaris are available on
its new 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.
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[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
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 INVESTOR RELATIONS
Paul Burroughs Jacques Raymond
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406 (418) 652-8525 ext. 360
paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com jacques.raymond@aeternazentaris.com
U.S. INVESTOR RELATIONS EUROPE
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates Matthias Seeber
Kim Golodetz +49 69 42602 3425
(212) 838-3777 matthias.seeber@zentaris.de
kgolodetz@lhai.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: October 27, 2004 By: /s/ Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and
Corporate Secretary