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 April 2008
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 /X/ Form 40-F / /
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/
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 April 1, 2008: AEterna Zentaris and Paladin
Labs Complete Sale and Purchase of Miltefosine Rights
[GRAPHIC] PALADIN [LOGO]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AETERNA ZENTARIS AND PALADIN LABS COMPLETE SALE AND PURCHASE OF MILTEFOSINE
RIGHTS
QUEBEC CITY AND MONTREAL, CANADA, APRIL 1, 2008 -- AEterna Zentaris Inc.
(NASDAQ: AEZS; TSX: AEZ), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on
endocrine therapy and oncology, and Paladin Labs Inc. (TSX: PLB), a leading
Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today that, on March 31,
2008, they completed the transactions under their previously announced purchase
and sale agreement with respect to all rights related to the manufacture,
production, distribution, marketing, sale and/or use of miltefosine. The
aggregate purchase price for the transaction was Cdn$9.125 million payable in
cash, subject to certain post-closing purchase price adjustments.
ABOUT MILTEFOSINE
Miltefosine is a phosphocholine analogue currently marketed under the brand name
Impavido(R), the first oral drug for the treatment of visceral and cutaneous
leishmaniasis. Impavido(R) has been proven to be highly effective and less toxic
than currently available treatments. Other currently available treatments are
liposomal amphotericin (Ambisome(R)) and Paromomycin.
ABOUT LEISHMANIASIS
Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of the
phlebotomine sandfly. The cutaneous form of the disease normally produces skin
ulcers on the exposed parts of the body such as the face, arms and legs. The
visceral form - also known as kala azar - is characterized by irregular bouts of
fever, substantial weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver, and anemia
(occasionally serious).
According to the World Health Organization, the disease is endemic in 88
countries with nearly 350 million people at risk. If untreated, visceral
leishmaniasis can result in death within 6 months to 2 years. There are more
than one million new cases per year of cutaneous leishmaniasis and an estimated
prevalence of 12 million people already infected.
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.aezsinc.com.
ABOUT PALADIN LABS INC.
Paladin Labs Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Canada, is a specialty
pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring or in-licensing innovative
pharmaceutical products for the Canadian market. With this strategy, a focused
national sales team and proven marketing expertise, Paladin has evolved into one
of Canada's leading specialty pharmaceutical companies. For more information,
please visit the Company's web site at www.paladinlabs.com
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, by their nature, necessarily involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Both AEterna Zentaris and
Paladin Labs (collectively, the "Companies") consider the assumptions on which
these forward-looking statements are based to be reasonable at the time they
were prepared, but caution that these assumptions regarding the future events,
many of which are beyond the control of the Companies and their subsidiaries,
may ultimately prove to be incorrect. Factors and risks, which could cause
actual results to differ materially from current expectations, are discussed in
the annual reports, as well as in the Companies' Annual Information Forms for
the year ended December 31, 2007. The Companies disclaim any intention or
respective obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether
as a result of new information or future events, except as required by law. For
additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these
forward-looking statements, investors should consult the Companies' respective
ongoing quarterly filings, annual reports and Annual Information Forms and other
filings found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
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For further information:
PALADIN LABS:
Samira Sakhia
Chief Financial Officer
(514) 340-5067, (514) 344-4675 (FAX)
info@paladin-labs.com
AETERNA ZENTARIS:
Jenene Thomas
Senior Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
(908) 626-5509
jthomas@aezsinc.com
Paul Burroughs
Media Relations
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406
pburroughs@aeszinc.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 ZENTARIS INC.
Date: April 2, 2008 By: /s/Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Vice President, Administrative and
Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary