QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; NASDAQ: AEZS), a growing global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, announced today that it has closed its previously announced secondary offering of its 3,485,000 subordinate voting shares of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc., at a price of Cdn$15.80 per share. Concurrent with the closing of the secondary offering and in accordance with the articles of Atrium Biotechnologies, AEterna Zentaris' remaining multiple voting shares have been converted into subordinate voting shares of Atrium Biotechnologies such that AEterna Zentaris now owns 11,052,996 subordinate voting shares representing approximately 36.1% of the issued and outstanding shares of Atrium Biotechnologies. As previously announced, prior to the end of 2006, AEterna Zentaris intends, subject to receiving regulatory and other approvals, to distribute all of its remaining 11,052,996 subordinate voting shares of Atrium to its shareholders. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. The subordinate voting shares of Atrium Biotechnologies have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. About AEterna Zentaris Inc. AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a growing 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 http://www.aeternazentaris.com/. DATASOURCE: AETERNA ZENTARIS INC. CONTACT: Media Relations: Paul Burroughs, (418) 652-8525 ext. 406, ; Investor Relations: Jenene Thomas, (418) 655-6420, (908) 996-3154,

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