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 2005
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 January 25, 2005 - AEterna Zentaris Subsidiary Atrium
Biotechnologies Acquires Canadian Business Multichem
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[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 ACQUIRES
CANADIAN BUSINESS MULTICHEM
ALL AMOUNTS ARE IN CANADIAN DOLLARS
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, JANUARY 25, 2005 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; Nasdaq:
AEZS) today announced the closing of the acquisition of all Multichem assets by
its subsidiary Atrium Biotechnologies Inc., for the total amount of 23.8 million
dollars of which 22.2 million dollars were paid in cash at the closing. This
acquisition was financed through Atrium's working capital, as well as from a new
banking credit facility. Multichem is a privately-held Canadian company
specialized in the marketing of active ingredients and specialty chemicals.
"The Multichem acquisition allows us to significantly increase our presence on
the North American market in the active ingredients and specialty chemicals
sector", said Luc Dupont, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atrium.
"Furthermore, it is part of our growth strategy aimed at positioning Atrium
among the leaders at the international level, in both our activity sectors which
are Active Ingredients & Specialty Chemicals, as well as Health & Nutrition."
Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief Executive Officer at AEterna Zentaris added,
"Atrium has again demonstrated its ability to make accretive strategic
acquisitions that contribute to the global growth of AEterna Zentaris."
ABOUT MULTICHEM
Founded in 1985, Multichem is a privately-held Canadian company specialized in
the marketing of active ingredients and specialty chemicals. It has a portfolio
of over 400 products sold to more than 500 customers in Canada and the North
Eastern United States through its offices in the Montreal and Toronto regions.
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2004, Multichem sales exceeded 60 million
dollars.
ABOUT ATRIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES
Atrium Biotechnologies Inc., a 61.1%-owned subsidiary of AEterna Zentaris, is an
international company that develops, manufactures and markets value-added
products and solutions for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemical and
nutritional industries. Atrium focuses mainly on growing segments of the health
and personal care markets which are benefiting from the trends toward healthy
living and the ageing of the population.
[LOGO]
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),
and has successfully completed a broad Phase II program in 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.
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. 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 Ginette Vallieres
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406 (418) 652-8525 ext. 265
paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com ginette.vallieres@aeternazentaris.com
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EUROPE
Matthias Seeber
+49-6942602-3425
matthias.seeber@zentaris.com
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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 ZENTARIS INC.
Date: January 25, 2005 By: /s/Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and
Corporate Secretary