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 October 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
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1. Press Release of October 8, 2002 -AEterna: Additional
Collaboration for Phase III Lung Cancer Trial
[AETERNA LOGO HERE]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AETERNA: ADDITIONAL COLLABORATION FOR PHASE III LUNG CANCER TRIAL
THE RADIATION THERAPY ONCOLOGY GROUP AND THE COMMUNITY CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
PROGRAM TO COMBINE EFFORTS IN NEOVASTAT TRIAL
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, OCTOBER 8, 2002 - AEterna Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ:
AELA; TSX: AEL) announced today at the American Society for Therapeutic
Radiology and Oncology Meeting that the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)
has joined the Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) in patient enrollment
and conduct of Neovastat Phase III clinical trial in non-small cell lung cancer.
The trial is sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and led
by the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
"The RTOG commitment in our Phase III trial in lung cancer will complement the
invaluable support already provided by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the
National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored CCOP sites throughout the U.S., and
other independent investigative sites in the U.S. and Canada," said Dr. Claude
Hariton, AEterna's Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. "These measures are
in line with our strategy regarding the development of Neovastat in oncology."
"AEterna has developed a new opportunity combining the use of a multifunctional
antiangiogenic agent with the standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy
treatments", commented Dr. Walter Curran of Jefferson Medical College in
Philadelphia, the RTOG Group Chairman. "Such a unique approach justifies our
involvement in this NIH sponsored trial."
"The CCOP is very pleased with the decision by the RTOG to take part in this
trial. We have always favored the involvement of several collaborative groups in
large clinical trials, and we welcome this opportunity to work together in the
best interest of our mission to fight cancer", said Dr. Archie Bleyer,
M.D. Anderson CCOP Medical Director.
AEterna's Phase III clinical trial in non-small cell lung cancer involving over
760 patients in North America, strives to increase survival time of patients
receiving Neovastat in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Currently, over 200 patients have been enrolled in this trial which should be
completed in 2005. The trial is sponsored by
the U.S. National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. The lead
investigators are Dr. Charles Lu, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center in Houston, Texas, and Dr. William K. Evans, Cancer Care Ontario,
Toronto, Canada.
Lung cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in men and women. The American
Cancer Society estimates that over 170,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year
in the U.S., accounting for 14% of cancer diagnoses. Lung cancer is responsible
for 28% of all U.S. cancer deaths, an estimated 157,000 deaths per year. In
Canada, 12,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year, accounting for 17% of all
new cancer cases and responsible for 10,700 deaths.
The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group is a multi-institutional cooperative
organization comprised of 250 of the major research institutions in the U.S. and
in Canada. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the RTOG is a national cancer research
study group funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute with almost 30 years of
experience in running clinical trials.
The Community Clinical Oncology Program at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson
Cancer Center provides clinical trials to a network of community oncology
centers in the US. Their goals are to enable more patients to access
state-of-the-art cancer care, initiate and conduct clinical trials in cancer
treatment, control and prevention; and, improve public and professional
awareness of cancer innovations and clinical trials.
ABOUT AETERNA AND NEOVASTAT
AEterna is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company and a frontrunner in the
development of angiogenesis inhibitors, 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 countries.
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, nutritional, fine chemicals and
pharmaceutical 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
National Market (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
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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: October 8, 2002 By: /s/Claude Vadboncoeur
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Claude Vadboncoeur
Vice President, Legal Affairs and
Corporate Secretary