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 August 2008
Commission File No. 000-30752
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
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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 /X/ Form 40-F / /
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-____
DOCUMENTS INDEX
DOCUMENTS DESCRIPTION
1. Press Release dated August 12, 2008: AEterna Zentaris Announces
Appointment of Prof. Jurgen Engel, Ph.D. as New President and CEO
[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 ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF PROF. JURGEN ENGEL, PH.D. AS
NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC (CANADA), AUGUST 12, 2008 -- AEterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ:
AEZS, TSX: AEZ), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrinology and
oncology, announced today the appointment of Prof. Jurgen Engel, Ph.D. as its
new President and CEO, effective as of September 1, 2008. Prof. Engel is
currently Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of AEterna
Zentaris. He succeeds Juergen Ernst, who had been acting as Interim President
and CEO since April 2008. Mr. Ernst, current Chairman at AEterna Zentaris, will
become Executive Chairman as of September 1, 2008.
"As a seasoned executive for many years at AEterna Zentaris, Prof. Engel has
gained a deep knowledge of the Company's activities at all levels. We feel that
his extensive expertise in drug development and commercialization as well as in
strategic partnerships, make him the ideal person to lead the Company," said Mr.
Ernst.
Prof. Engel added, "I am thrilled with this new challenge and will continue to
dedicate all efforts to the successful development of our deep pipeline,
especially the ongoing pivotal Phase 3 program in benign prostatic hyperplasia
with our lead compound, cetrorelix."
Prof. Engel has been Chief Executive Officer of Zentaris AG since the beginning
of 2001. Before joining AEterna Zentaris in December 2002, he was in charge of
all R&D activities at ASTA Medica AG where he supervised more than 700
scientists and clinical professionals.
Prof. Engel holds a doctorate degree in organic chemistry from the Technical
University of Braunschweig and an academic degree in pharmaceutical science from
the University of Regensburg where he is an adjunct full professor at its School
of Pharmacy. He is also Honorary Professor at the Dresden Technical University.
In 1995, he received the Galenus-von-Pergamon prize for having developed
alkylphospholipids as a new class of anti-tumor agents. Prof. Engel is the
author of more than 250 scientific articles, several books and he applied for
more than 100 patent applications.
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.
[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
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. We disclaim any
obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any
revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect
future results, events or developments except if we are requested by a
governmental authority or applicable law.
CONTACTS
INVESTOR RELATIONS MEDIA RELATIONS
Dennis Turpin, CA Paul Burroughs
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Director of Communications
(908) 626-5503 (418) 652-8525 ext. 406
dturpin@aezsinc.com pburroughs@aezsinc.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: August 13, 2008 By: /s/Dennis Turpin
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Dennis Turpin
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer