AEterna Zentaris Completes Distribution of Remaining Shares of Atrium Biotechnologies
January 03 2007 - 9:08AM
PR Newswire (US)
AEterna Zentaris emerges as a pure play biopharmaceutical company
QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AEterna Zentaris Inc.
(TSX: AEZ; NASDAQ: AEZS), a growing global biopharmaceutical
company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, announced that
it has completed the special distribution in kind of all of the
11,052,996 subordinate voting shares of the capital of Atrium
Biotechnologies Inc. (TSX: ATB) previously held by AEterna Zentaris
by way of return of capital that was approved at the Company's
special meeting of shareholders held on December 15, 2006. Gilles
Gagnon, AEterna Zentaris President and CEO commented, "Over the
past year, not only did we successfully advance our pipeline to
late-stage development, but we also set the stage to become a pure
play biopharmaceutical company by spinning off Atrium. We are now
extremely motivated and confident as we are more focused on
building solid endocrinology and oncology franchises." This press
release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of
an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. 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/. 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. Statements that are not historical
facts, including statements preceded by, followed by, or that
include the words "believes", "anticipates", "intends", "plans",
"expects", "estimates", "will," "may", "should", "approximately",
and the negative or other variations of those terms or comparable
terminology, are forward-looking statements. Such statements
reflect management's current views, intentions, strategies and
plans and are based on certain assumptions. 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 ability of AEterna
Zentaris to complete the special distribution in the manner
described herein, whether AEterna Zentaris will be able to
implement its business strategies, the availability of funds and
resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely
completion of clinical studies, the ability of AEterna Zentaris 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. CONTACT: Jenene
Thomas, Senior Director, Investor Relations & Corporate
Communications, (418) 655-6420 or (908) 996-3154, ; Paul Burroughs,
Media Relations, (418) 652-8525 ext. 406,
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