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 August 2007
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
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1405, Parc-Technologique Boulevard
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 August 14, 2007: AEterna Zentaris appoints
Jurgen Ernst Chairman of the Board of Directors and David J. Mazzo,
Ph.D. a Board Member
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[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 APPOINTS JURGEN ERNST CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS AND DAVID J. MAZZO, PH.D. A BOARD MEMBER
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC (CANADA), AUGUST 14, 2007 -- AEterna Zentaris Inc.
(TSX: AEZ; NASDAQ: AEZS), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on
endocrine therapy and oncology, today announced the appointments of Jurgen Ernst
as Chairman of the Board of Directors and David J. Mazzo, Ph.D., the Company's
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to its Board of Directors,
effective immediately. Jurgen Ernst has served as Vice Chairman since November
2005 and succeeds Eric Dupont, Ph.D., who has served as Executive
Chairman since January 2003 and who is stepping down from the Board, also
effective today.
Jurgen Ernst, Chairman of AEterna Zentaris, stated, "Dr. Dupont's contributions
to the growth and evolution of AEterna Zentaris have proven to be invaluable.
Since founding the Company in 1991, Dr. Dupont has established AEterna Zentaris
as a solid, global biopharmaceutical company. He successfully piloted the
spin-off in January 2007 of our former subsidiary, Atrium Innovations Inc.,
which was created out of the Company's commercial activities at the end of 1999.
With AEterna Zentaris emerging earlier this year as a mature, pure-play global
biopharmaceutical company with a rich pipeline, the implementation of a highly
skilled and well experienced new management team, as well as the Company's
secure financial position, Dr. Dupont and the Board of Directors agreed that now
would be an appropriate time for him to retire from the Board and for the
Company to name a new Chairman of the Board. On behalf of the entire AEterna
Zentaris organization, especially the Board of Directors, I would like to
personally thank Dr. Dupont for his undying dedication, passion and tenacity
over the years, and I am grateful he will remain a special advisor to the Board
to ensure a smooth transition."
David J. Mazzo, Ph.D., President and CEO of AEterna Zentaris, added, "We are
very pleased that Jurgen Ernst has agreed to take on additional
responsibilities as Chairman of our Board of Directors. Jurgen is a seasoned
executive, and we will continue to benefit from his 35 years of pharmaceutical
industry experience, specifically corporate development and pharmaceutical
product marketing expertise."
Dr. Dupont will serve as a special advisor to the Board of Directors of AEterna
Zentaris until the end of the year.
[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
ABOUT AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine
therapy and oncology with proven expertise in drug discovery, development and
commercialization.
News releases and additional information are available at
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.
Statements that are not historical facts, including statements preceded by,
followed by, or that include the words "believes", "anticipates", "intends",
"plans", "expects", "estimates", "will," "may", "should", "approximately", and
the negative or other variations of those terms or comparable terminology, are
forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect management's current views,
intentions, strategies and plans and are based on certain assumptions.
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 ability of AEterna Zentaris to implement its business strategies,
the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful
and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of AEterna Zentaris 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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CONTACT:
Jenene Thomas
Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
(908) 938-1475
jenene.thomas@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: August 15, 2007 By: /s/ Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Vice President, Administration
and Affairs and Corporate Secretary