AEterna Zentaris Subsidiary Atrium Biotechnologies Files Preliminary Prospectus for Initial Public Offering
February 17 2005 - 9:28AM
PR Newswire (US)
AEterna Zentaris Subsidiary Atrium Biotechnologies Files
Preliminary Prospectus for Initial Public Offering QUEBEC CITY,
Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ;
Nasdaq: AEZS) today announced that its 61.1%-owned subsidiary
Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. has filed a preliminary prospectus with
the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of
Canada in connection with an initial public offering of subordinate
voting shares. The offering consists of a treasury issue by Atrium
and a secondary offering by SGF Soquia Inc., a subsidiary of
Societe generale de financement du Quebec. Atrium Biotechnologies'
preliminary prospectus, which contains Atrium's audited
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004 will shortly be available online at
http://www.sedar.com/ . Atrium's subordinate voting shares have not
been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or
to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S
registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration
requirements. About AEterna Zentaris Inc. AEterna Zentaris Inc. is
an oncology and endocrine therapy focused biopharmaceutical company
with proven expertise in drug discovery, development and
commercialization. The Company's broad 20 product pipeline
leverages five different therapeutic approaches, including LHRH
antagonists and signal transduction inhibitors. The lead LHRH
antagonist compound, cetrorelix, is currently marketed for in vitro
fertilization under the brand name Cetrotide(R), and has
successfully completed a broad Phase II program in endometriosis
and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The lead signal
transduction inhibitor compound, perifosine, is an orally-active
AKT inhibitor that is in several Phase II trials for multiple
cancers. AEterna Zentaris owns 61.1% of Atrium Biotechnologies
Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of value-added
products for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemical and
nutritional industries. News releases and additional information
about AEterna Zentaris are available on its Web site
http://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. DATASOURCE: AETERNA
ZENTARIS INC. (FORMERLY/ANCIENNEMENT - LES LABORATOIRES AETERNA
CONTACT: Media Relations: Paul Burroughs, (418) 652-8525, ext. 406,
; Investor Relations: Ginette Vallieres, (418) 652-8525 ext. 265,
To request a free copy of this organization's annual report, please
go to http://www.newswire.ca/ and click on reports@cnw
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