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 March 2008
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/
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/
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
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DOCUMENTS INDEX
DOCUMENTS DESCRIPTION
1. Press Release dated March 3, 2008: AEterna Zentaris and Paladin Labs
Announce Sale and Purchase of Miltefosine Rights
AETERNA ZENTARIS [PALADIN LOGO]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AETERNA ZENTARIS AND PALADIN LABS ANNOUNCE SALE AND PURCHASE OF MILTEFOSINE
RIGHTS
QUEBEC CITY AND MONTREAL, CANADA, MARCH 3, 2008 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ:
AEZS;TSX: AEZ), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy
and oncology, and Paladin Labs Inc. (TSX: PLB), a leading Canadian specialty
pharmaceutical company, announced today that they have entered into a definitive
purchase and sale agreement with respect to all rights related to the
manufacture, production, distribution, marketing, sale and/or use of miltefosine
for an aggregate purchase price of Cdn$9.125 million payable in cash, subject to
certain post-closing purchase price adjustments. Miltefosine, sold under the
brand name Impavido(R) throughout the world, recorded revenues of Euro 2.5
million in 2007. Completion of the transactions contemplated by the purchase
agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including the parties
having received certain third-party consents and approvals.
David J. Mazzo, Ph.D., President and CEO of AEterna Zentaris commented, "Last
fall, we put forth our new focused business strategy which included identifying
non-core assets and actively seeking to divest them as a way to infuse
non-dilutive funds into the Company. We are very pleased to have entered into an
agreement for the sale of the compound, miltefosine, and look forward to
consummating the deal in the near future."
"This transaction marks the first time that Paladin has acquired international
rights to a patented, medically important product", said Jonathan Ross Goodman,
President and CEO of Paladin Labs. "This transaction is expected to be
immediately accretive to earnings and it fits within our broader strategy to
grow Paladin's revenues beyond the Canadian border."
ABOUT MILTEFOSINE
Miltefosine is a phosphocholine analogue currently marketed under the brand name
Impavido(R), the first oral drug for the treatment of visceral and cutaneous
leishmaniasis. Impavido(R) has been proven to be highly effective and less toxic
than current therapies. Other current available treatments are liposomal
amphotericin (Ambisome(R)) and Paromomycin.
ABOUT LEISHMANIASIS
Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of the
phlebotomine sandfly. The cutaneous form of the disease normally produces skin
ulcers on the exposed parts of the body such as the face, arms and legs. The
visceral form - also
known as kala azar - is characterized by irregular bouts of fever, substantial
weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver, and anemia (occasionally
serious).
According to the World Health Organization, the disease is endemic in 88
countries with nearly 350 million people at risk. If untreated, visceral
leishmaniasis can result in death within 6 months to 2 years. There are more
than one million new cases per year of cutaneous leishmaniasis and an estimated
prevalence of 12 million people already infected.
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.aezsinc.com
ABOUT PALADIN LABS INC.
Paladin Labs Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Canada, is a specialty
pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring or in-licensing innovative
pharmaceutical products for the Canadian market. With this strategy, a focused
national sales team and proven marketing expertise, Paladin has evolved into one
of Canada's leading specialty pharmaceutical companies. For more information,
please visit the Company's web site at www.paladinlabs.com
THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, BY THEIR NATURE, NECESSARILY INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
CONTEMPLATED BY THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. BOTH AETERNA ZENTARIS AND
PALADIN LABS "THE COMPANIES" CONSIDER THE ASSUMPTIONS ON WHICH THESE
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED TO BE REASONABLE AT THE TIME THEY WERE
PREPARED, BUT CAUTION THAT THESE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING THE FUTURE EVENTS, MANY
OF WHICH ARE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE COMPANIES AND THEIR SUBSIDIARIES, MAY
ULTIMATELY PROVE TO BE INCORRECT. FACTORS AND RISKS, WHICH COULD CAUSE ACTUAL
RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM CURRENT EXPECTATIONS, ARE DISCUSSED IN THE
ANNUAL REPORTS, AS WELL AS IN THE COMPANIES' ANNUAL INFORMATION FORMS FOR THE
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006. THE COMPANIES DISCLAIM ANY INTENTION OR RESPECTIVE
OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WHETHER A RESULT
OF NEW INFORMATION, FUTURE EVENTS, OR EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY LAW. FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ON RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES RELATING TO THESE FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS, INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THE COMPANIES' RESPECTIVE ONGOING QUARTERLY
FILINGS, ANNUAL REPORTS AND ANNUAL INFORMATION FORMS AND OTHER FILINGS FOUND ON
SEDAR AT www.sedar.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
PALADIN LABS AETERNA ZENTARIS
Samira Sakhia Jenene Thomas, Senior Director
Chief Financial Officer Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
514-340-5067 (908)626-5509
514-344-4675 (FAX) jthomas@aezsinc.com
info@paladin-labs.com
www.paladinlabs.com Paul Burroughs
Media Relations
(418)652-8525 ext. 406
pburroughs@aeszinc.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 ZENTARIS INC.
Date: March 5, 2008 By: /s/Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Vice President, Administrative and
Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary