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 September, 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
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION PAGE
1. Press Release of September 13, 2002 - Appointment to
AEterna Management 1
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APPOINTMENT TO AETERNA MANAGEMENT
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC, SEPTEMBER 13, 2002 - AEterna Laboratories Inc. (TSX: AEL;
Nasdaq: AELA), today announced the appointment of Mr.Claude Cardinal as Vice
President of Technical Operations. Formerly Senior Director of Operations and
Manufacturing at AEterna, Mr. Cardinal will supervise all activities related to
technical development and drug manufacturing according to pharmaceutical
industry standards.
Furthermore, scientific research groups will be integrated within the Clinical
and Regulatory Affairs Department under the supervision of Dr. Claude Hariton,
Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at AEterna. These scientific research
groups were previously supervised by Dr. Pierre Falardeau who leaves AEterna to
pursue other professional opportunities.
MR. CLAUDE CARDINAL, LPHARM
Mr. Cardinal holds a bachelor's degree in Pharmacology from the Universite de
Montreal and has 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He has
assumed top management positions with leading companies such as Rhone-Poulenc
Pharma Inc., Biovail International and Technilab. M. Cardinal joined AEterna
in 2000.
DR. CLAUDE A. HARITON, PH.D.
Dr. Hariton obtained his Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Marseille.
He also holds a Master's Degree in human biology and pharmacology, as well as a
Bachelor's Degree in physiology of the same university. During the last 15
years, he assumed different responsibilities with regard to preclinical and
clinical research and development, regulatory affairs, and management of
research projects at Novartis Pharma's head office in Bale, Switzerland. Dr.
Hariton has been with AEterna since 1999.
ABOUT AETERNA AND NEOVASTAT
AEterna is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company and a frontrunner in the
development of angiogenesis inhibitor, primarily in oncology.
Neovastat is currently undergoing two Phase III clinical trials for the
treatment of lung and kidney cancer and one Phase II trial for the treatment of
multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. These trials are currently being held
in more than 140 clinical institutions in Canada, the U.S. and in several
European companies.
Atrium Biotechnologies Inc., a 64% owned subsidiary of AEterna Laboratories,
develops and markets nutritional supplements as well as active ingredients and
fine chemicals intended for the cosmetics, fine chemicals, pharmaceutical, fine
chemical and nutritional industries. The Company markets over 500 products in 20
countries to industry leaders such as Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, Clarins, Chanel,
Aventis, SanofiSynthelabo and Nestle.
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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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
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: September 13, 2002 By:
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Claude Vadboncoeur
Vice President, Legal Affairs and
Corporate Secretary