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 June, 2002
AETERNA LABORATORIES INC.
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
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-_____
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit Description Page
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1. Press release dated June 12, 2002 relating to AEterna's
Annual Shareholders Meeting
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AETERNA HOLDS ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING
RESULTS OF PHASE III TRIAL IN KIDNEY CANCER IN 2003
FIRST MARKETING OPPORTUNITY FOR NEOVASTAT IN 2004
MONTREAL (QUEBEC), JUNE 12, 2002 - At the annual general meeting of AEterna
Laboratories Inc., (TSX: AEL, Nasdaq: AELA), Dr. Eric Dupont, Chairman of the
Board and CEO, told the shareholders that "Our Phase III clinical study of
Neovastat in kidney cancer will be completed in less than 12 months and
conclusive results could enable our Company to be the first to market an
angiogenesis inhibitor in oncology". According to a study published in
DATAMONITOR last March, the angiogenesis inhibitor sector could represent a
C$1 billion market in 2004 and a more than C$4 billion market in 2007.
Dr. Dupont also discussed the long-term growth objectives of the Company:
"During the next few years, our strategic growth plan, which includes potential
acquisitions, should position AEterna as an important international developer of
innovative cancer therapies."
OTHER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
CORPORATE OPERATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
"Scale-up operations are being completed for the production of Neovastat at the
commercial level", according to Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief Operating
Officer at AEterna. "Furthermore, we have signed two strategic partnership
agreements, one with Grupo Ferrer (Barcelona) and the other with Medac GmbH
(Hamburg), to market Neovastat on the European continent and in Latin America,
which together represent more than 30% of the world market. These agreements
include more than C$45 million in milestone payments and potential revenues of
nearly 20% on sales of Neovastat. We are currently holding talks that should
lead to similar agreements covering North America and Asia."
SOLID FINANCIAL POSITION
Dennis Turpin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, said, "The Company
currently has a solid financial position with cash assets of more than
C$100 million. These assets will be used to complete the Phase III clinical
study in kidney cancer and the Phase II study in Multiple Myeloma, a form of
blood cancer, all within our established time frames. We appreciate the support
of our
business partners, who will help carry out AEterna's strategic acquisition plan
to ensure long-term growth."
ATRIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES
Richard Bordeleau, President of the Atrium subsidiary, commented, "Atrium has
experienced unprecedented growth during the past two years, with sales
increasing from C$8 million to C$44 million in 2001, and we anticipate sales of
C$90 million in 2002". The Company has attained a critical mass, with access to
enough cash assets to make acquisitions and ensure its international development
in a rapidly growing market."
ABOUT ATRIUM
Atrium Biotechnologies, a 64% owned subsidiary of AEterna Laboratories Inc.,
specializes in the development, marketing and distribution of products and
ingredients in cosmetics, nutrition, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Atrium
distributes 600 products in more than 20 countries to 1,600 clients including
multinationals like L'Oreal, Nestle and Aventis.
ABOUT AETERNA
AEterna Laboratories Inc., a Canadian biopharmaceutical company, is a
frontrunner in the field of angiogenesis inhibitors development, primarily in
oncology.
Its product, Neovastat, is currently undergoing two Phase III pivotal clinical
trials for treatment of lung and kidney cancer, and one Phase II trial for
treatment of Multiple Myeloma, a form of blood cancer. These clinical trials are
currently being held in more than 140 clinical institutions in Canada, the U.S.
and several European countries.
AEterna shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (AEL) and the
Nasdaq (AELA).
News releases and additional information about AEterna are available on its Web
site at www.aeterna.com.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are 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 the business opportunities in
the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and
general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult the Company's
ongoing 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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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
CANADA
MEDIA RELATIONS: INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Paul Burroughs Jacques Raymond
Tel.: (418) 652-8525 ext. 406 Tel.: (418) 652-8525 ext. 360
Fax: (418) 577-7700 Fax: (418) 577-7700
E-mail: paul.burroughs@aeterna.com E-mail: jacques.raymond@aeterna.com
USA
The Investor Relations Group
Lisa Lindberg
Tel.: (212) 825-3210
Fax: (212) 825-3229
E-mail: TheProTeam@aol.com
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 LABORATORIES INC.
Date: June 13, 2002 By: /s/Claude Vadboncoeur
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Claude Vadboncoeur
Vice President, Legal Affairs and
Corporate Secretary