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 16, 2007: AEterna Zentaris Completes
Management Team with the Appointment of Chief Medical Officer
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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 COMPLETES MANAGEMENT TEAM WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, AUGUST 16, 2007 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; NASDAQ:
AEZS), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and
oncology, today announced the filling of a key position completing the
management team with the appointment of Paul Blake, M.D., as Senior Vice
President and Chief Medical Officer.
"The appointment of Dr. Blake is timely and critical as our foremost priority is
to bring our flagship product candidate, cetrorelix, to market as a novel
treatment in the BPH indication in an expeditious manner", said David
J. Mazzo, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer at AEterna Zentaris.
"Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and is an excellent addition to our team,
with over 25 years of solid experience in clinical development and product
launching for major pharmaceutical companies worldwide. He will be instrumental
in effectively managing our development programs through to commercialization,
specifically our Phase 3 program in BPH for cetrorelix, as well as focusing on
our other high priority drug development programs."
Prior to joining AEterna Zentaris, Dr. Blake was Chief Medical Officer of
Avigenics, Inc. In 2005, he was Senior Vice President, Clinical Research and
Regulatory Affairs at Cephalon, Inc. before being promoted to Executive Vice
President, Worldwide Medical & Regulatory Operations. From 1992 to 1998, he held
the position of Senior Vice President and Medical Director, Clinical Research
and Development at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals (now GSK).
Dr. Blake earned a medical degree from the London University, Royal Free
Hospital. He was elected Fellow of the American College of Clinical
Pharmacology, Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, Royal College
of Physicians in the UK, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in
the UK.
"Over the recent months, we have made significant progress in strengthening our
core competencies and have undeniably established a world class team," said Dr.
Mazzo. "I believe that with this experienced, highly competent team along with
our rich, self-sustaining pipeline, we have all the key elements to successfully
place AEterna Zentaris in a new growth category and significantly unlock
shareholder value."
[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
Following Dr. Blake's appointment, the Company's Executive Management Team is
comprised of the following members:
-- Paul Blake, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer;
-- Jurgen Engel, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific
Officer;
-- Ellen McDonald, M.B.A., Senior Vice President, Business Operations
and Chief Business Officer;
-- Mario Paradis, C.A., Senior Vice President, Administrative and Legal
Affairs, and Corporate Secretary;
-- Nicholas J. Pelliccione, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Regulatory
Affairs and Quality Assurance; and
-- Dennis Turpin, C.A., Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer.
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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[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
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CONTACTS:
SENIOR DIRECTOR, INVESTOR RELATIONS AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Jenene Thomas
(908) 938-1475
jenene.thomas@aeternazentaris.com
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MEDIA RELATIONS
Paul Burroughs
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406
paul.burroughs@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 20, 2007 By: /s/ Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Vice President, Administration
and Affairs and Corporate Secretary