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 January 2006
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
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1405, boul. du Parc-Technologique
Quebec, Quebec
Canada, G1P 4P5
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(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 January 25, 2006: AEterna Zentaris appoints
former Abbott Vice President to its Board of Directors
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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 FORMER ABBOTT VICE PRESIDENT TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, JANUARY 25, 2006 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; Nasdaq:
AEZS) today announced the appointment to its Board of Directors of Gerald J.
Martin, former Vice President, Corporate Licensing and Technology Alliances at
Abbott Laboratories. Mr. Martin is also former Chairman of Milkhaus Laboratory,
a biotech company based in Providence, Rhode Island, focused mainly on male
health.
"We are very proud to welcome a seasoned executive like Mr. Martin as an
independent member of our Board of Directors", commented Dr. Eric Dupont,
AEterna Zentaris Chairman. "His thirty-year global pharmaceutical experience
will be very valuable in bringing alternative perspectives to the Company's
senior management team through the Board, as well as in elaborating strategies
to enable sustainable growth."
Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief Executive Officer at AEterna Zentaris added,
"Mr. Martin has proven to be an acute senior executive in developing business
opportunities which led to major product in-licensing and acquisition deals. For
instance, the strategies he developed during his career at Abbott, contributed
to the company's largest acquisition. Furthermore, he has vast experience in
identifying product opportunities, including new treatments for prostate cancer
as well as directing clinical development of treatments for benign prostatic
hyperplasia. This will surely be a great asset in the development of our own
products, cetrorelix and ozarelix, currently being studied in benign prostatic
hyperplasia and in prostate cancer."
GERALD J. MARTIN
Mr. Martin, former Vice President, Corporate Licensing and Technology Alliances
at Abbott Laboratories, is currently Board Member of Life Sciences Information
Technology Global Institute, a non-profit public benefit corporation chartered
to identify and develop Good Informatics Practices (GIP) with focus on the
establishment of GIP in drug development. Until recently, he was Chairman of the
Board of Milkhaus Laboratory based in Providence, Rhode Island, a biotechnology
company specialized mainly in male health. During his career in the
biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical sectors, Mr. Martin, in addition to his
general management functions, developed a strong expertise in sales and
marketing, business development, as well as in clinical development.
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 48.5% of the equity of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc.
(TSX: ATB.sv) and 64.9 % of its voting rights. Atrium is 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
Jenene Thomas
(418) 655-6420
jenene.thomas@aeternazentaris.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: JANUARY 25, 2006 By: /s/ MARIO PARADIS
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and Corporate Secretary