QUÉBEC CITY, May 12, 2014
/PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ)
(the "Company") announces that following its annual meeting of
shareholders held on May 9, 2014, its
Board of Directors has appointed current President and CEO,
David Dodd, as Chairman of the
Board, a decision that is in keeping with Aeterna Zentaris' new
strategy of transitioning from a research and development into a
commercial company. The Board believes that with both roles being
assumed by David Dodd, the
decision-making process of the leadership will be more efficient,
which should also accelerate the attainment of the Company's
objective of becoming a commercial entity. In order to ensure that
the Board of Directors will continue to act independently from
management, Juergen Ernst, former
Chairman of the Board and an independent director, will assume the
role of Lead Director.
David Dodd, President, CEO and
Chairman of Aeterna Zentaris stated, "I would first like to
acknowledge and thank Juergen Ernst
for his valuable contribution and mentorship over the last few
years and we look forward to continue working closely with him and
benefit from his vast experience in our industry. I am honoured by
the confidence placed in me by our Board, and I am excited to take
on this challenge of successfully transforming Aeterna Zentaris
into a commercial entity for the benefit of shareholders, patients
and our other stakeholders."
The Company also announced the results of the vote on directors
held at its annual meeting of shareholders on May 9, 2014.
Each of the director nominees proposed by management for
election was elected as director, without a vote by ballot being
conducted. The Company received proxies with regard to voting on
the seven directors nominated for election as set forth in the
table below:
Name of
Nominee
|
Votes
For
|
%
|
Votes
Withheld
|
%
|
Marcel
Aubut
|
2,753,774
|
73.14
|
1,011,519
|
26.86
|
David A.
Dodd
|
2,995,600
|
79.56
|
769,693
|
20.44
|
José P.
Dorais
|
2,786,549
|
74.01
|
978,744
|
25.99
|
Carolyn
Egbert
|
3,072,567
|
81.60
|
692,726
|
18.40
|
Juergen
Ernst
|
2,676,649
|
71.09
|
1,088,644
|
28.91
|
Pierre
Lapalme
|
2,784,756
|
73.96
|
980,538
|
26.04
|
Gérard
Limoges
|
3,145,331
|
83.53
|
619,962
|
16.47
|
All other matters at the shareholders' meeting were also
approved by shareholders.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company
engaged in developing novel treatments in oncology and
endocrinology. The Company's pipeline encompasses compounds at
various stages of development. For more information, visit
www.aezsinc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements made
pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the US Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that 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 risk that safety and efficacy data from any of our
Phase 3 trials may not coincide with the data analyses from
previously reported Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 clinical trials, the
ability of the Company to efficiently commercialize one or more of
its products or product candidates, 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 US
securities commissions for additional information on risks and
uncertainties relating to 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, unless required to do so by a
governmental authority or by applicable law.
SOURCE Aeterna Zentaris Inc.