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 November 2005
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
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-_________
DOCUMENTS INDEX
DOCUMENTS DESCRIPTION
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1. Press release dated November 21, 2005: AEterna Zentaris
appoints a Board Vice Chairman, a New Chair of the Corporate
Governance Committee, Two New Scientific Advisory Board
Members and an IR Director
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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 APPOINTS A BOARD VICE CHAIRMAN, A NEW CHAIR OF THE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, TWO NEW SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS AND
AN IR DIRECTOR
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, NOVEMBER 21, 2005 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ;
Nasdaq: AEZS) today announced the appointment of Jurgen Ernst, former worldwide
General Manager, Pharmaceutical Sector of Solvay S.A. as Vice Chairman of the
Board. Mr. Ernst had joined AEterna Zentaris' Board last February. In addition,
Pierre MacDonald, Chairman, Eurocopter Canada Ltd. and a current five-year
member of AEterna Zentaris' Board, will also act as new Chair of the Corporate
Governance Committee.
"As former worldwide General Manager, Pharmaceutical Sector of Solvay, Mr. Ernst
has solid international expertise in strategic planning, corporate development,
product development and marketing. Mr. MacDonald's keen sense of business and
managerial skills have enabled him to hold senior executive functions at some of
Canada's largest corporations. Both of them will no doubt contribute greatly in
building value for our Company and its shareholders," commented Dr. Eric Dupont,
AEterna Zentaris Chairman.
The Company also announced the appointment of Dr. Daniel Douglas Von Hoff,
Director of Translational Drug Development Division, Translational Genomics
Institute (TGen) in Scottsdale, Arizona, to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
In June 2004, Dr. Von Hoff was appointed to President George Bush's National
Cancer Advisory Board. Dr. Ulf Rapp, Professor of Molecular Cell Biology,
Director of the Institute of Medical Radiation and Cell Research at Wurzburg
University in Germany and Chairman of the German Cancer Society, was also
appointed to AEterna Zentaris' SAB.
"We are very proud to welcome such eminent scientists to our Scientific Advisory
Board," stated Dr. Jurgen Engel, Executive Vice President, Global R&D and Chief
Operating Officer at AEterna Zentaris. "Their extensive knowledge and experience
in cancer therapy along with the expertise of our other Scientific Advisory
Board members will be very valuable in enhancing our oncology clinical
programs."
Finally, the Company announced the appointment of Jenene Thomas as Director,
Investor Relations. "Our Investor Relations strategy involves gaining greater
visibility for our Company on the financial markets in the United States,"
underlined Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief Executive Officer at AEterna
Zentaris. "We are, therefore, convinced that having an experienced person such
as Ms. Thomas on a permanent basis in New York, will help us achieve this goal."
JURGEN ERNST
Mr. Ernst, a seasoned executive, has recently retired from his position as
worldwide General Manager, Pharmaceutical Sector of Solvay S.A. For more than
20 years, he held different executive positions at Solvay including Senior
Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Division, President of the Human Health
Division, before becoming General Manager of that same Division. Mr. Ernst
brings to AEterna Zentaris more than 20 years of pharmaceutical industry
expertise mainly in the field of corporate development and pharmaceutical
product marketing.
DANIEL DOUGLAS VON HOFF, MD, F.A.C.P.
Dr. Von Hoff is currently Director of Translational Drug Development Division,
Translational Genomics Institute (TGen) in Scottsdale, Arizona. In June 2004, he
was appointed to President George Bush's National Cancer Advisory Board. A
graduate of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons (New York), Dr. Von Hoff
is an internationally recognized expert in the field of oncology, providing
guidance to industry and academic institutions. In the area of clinical drug
development, he was involved in the early development of many of the agents now
used routinely, including: Paclitaxel, Docetaxel, Gemcitabine, CPT-11, Iressa
and Tarceva. Dr. Von Hoff has served in the past as the President of the
American Association for Cancer Research from 1999 to 2000. He is a Fellow of
the American College of Physicians and a member and past Board Member of the
American Society of Clinical Oncology. He has published over 500 papers, as well
as over 850 abstracts.
ULF RAPP, MD
Dr. Rapp is Professor of Molecular Cell Biology, as well as Director of the
Institute of Medical Radiation and Cell Research at Wurzburg University in
Germany. A pioneer of signal transduction in oncology, he identified Raf which,
among others, is a target for perifosine, AEterna Zentaris' lead anti-cancer
product. He is also the leader of a current tumor vaccine project for AEterna
Zentaris.
He worked at various research laboratories including twenty years at the
National Cancer Institute in the United States before joining the Institute of
Medical Radiation and Cell Research of Wurzburg University in 1993.
A graduate of the Medical School at the University of Freiburg in Germany, Dr.
Rapp has been the recipient of many awards in the scientific community including
the 1998 Max Planck International Research Award, the 2001 Cancer Prize of the
German Cancer Society, the 2002 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology Award and 2003 Honorary member of the Japanese Biochemical Society.
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JENENE THOMAS
Ms. Thomas has developed a solid expertise in building and implementing
successful Investor Relations and Communications programs in the biotechnology
and pharmaceutical sectors. She has played a key role in enhancing the profile,
visibility and credibility of several U.S.-based companies, namely Pharmacia
Corporation, where she was an integral member of the Investor Relations team
which received many awards from organizations such as the Holmes Report Sabre
Awards, the International Public Relations Awards and PR Week Magazine.
ABOUT AEterna Zentaris Inc.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a growing global biopharmaceutical company engaged in
the discovery, development and marketing of therapies for cancer and endocrine
disorders.
AEterna Zentaris also owns 50.03% of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. (TSX: ATB.sv),
a developer, manufacturer and marketer of science-based products for the
cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemical and nutritional industries.
News releases and additional information are available at
www.aeternazentaris.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 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 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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CONTACTS
MEDIA RELATIONS
Paul Burroughs
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406
paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Ginette Vallieres
(418) 652-8525 ext. 265
ginette.vallieres@aeternazentaris.com
EUROPE
Matthias Seeber
+49 69 42602 3425
matthias.seeber@zentaris.com
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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: NOVEMBER 21, 2005 By: /s/ MARIO PARADIS
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and
Corporate Secretary