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 May 2005
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 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 dated May 18, 2005 -AEterna Zentaris to Hold Annual
Shareholders Meeting on May 26 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Montreal
AETERNA ZENTARIS
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 TO HOLD ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING ON MAY 26 AT THE
RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL IN MONTREAL
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, MAY 18, 2005 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; Nasdaq:
AEZS) announced that its annual shareholders meeting has been scheduled for
Thursday, May 26 2005 at 10:30 a.m. ET, in the Ovale room of the Ritz-Carlton
Hotel in Montreal.
Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jurgen Engel,
Executive Vice President, Global R-D and Chief Operating Officer, as well as
Dennis Turpin, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer will be highlighting 2004
corporate achievements as well as providing perspectives for 2005.
ABOUT AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is an oncology and endocrine therapy focused
biopharmaceutical company with proven expertise in drug discovery, development
and marketing. The Company's broad 20 product pipeline leverages six 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). Cetrorelix is also
in late-stage clinical development for endometriosis and benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH). The lead signal transduction inhibitor compound, perifosine,
is a novel, first-in-class, oral anticancer agent that modulates several key
signal transduction pathways, including AKT, MAPK, and JNK that have been shown
to be critical for the survival of cancer cells. Perifosine has demonstrated
single agent anti-tumor activity in Phase I and Phase II studies and is
currently being studied as a single agent and in combination with several forms
of anti-cancer treatments for various forms of cancer, including non-small cell
lung cancer and breast cancer.
AEterna Zentaris also owns 50.3% of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. (TSX: ATB.sv), a
leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of value-added products for the
cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemical and nutritional industries.
News releases and additional information about AEterna Zentaris are available on
its Web site www.aeternazentaris.com.
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AETERNA ZENTARIS
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
Paul Burroughs
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406
paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com
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INVESTOR RELATIONS
Ginette Vallieres
(418) 652-8525 ext. 265
ginette.vallieres@aeternazentaris.com
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EUROPE
Matthias Seeber
+49 69 42602 3425
matthias.seeber@aeternazentaris.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: May 18, 2005 By: /s/ Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and Corporate Secretary