FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
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Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of March 2006
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 Form 40-F X
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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
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_______
DOCUMENTS INDEX
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Documents Description
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1. Press release dated March 28, 2006: AEterna Zentaris to Present Results
of Three Preclinical Trials at the American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR) Meeting in Washington
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[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 TO PRESENT RESULTS OF THREE PRECLINICAL TRIALS AT THE AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH (AACR) MEETING IN WASHINGTON
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, MARCH 28, 2006 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; Nasdaq:
AEZS) today announced that it will present abstracts outlining results of three
preclinical trials for multiple cancers in the Exhibition Hall of the Washington
Convention Center during the American Association for Cancer Research Annual
Meeting, which will be held from April 1-5, 2006, in Washington D.C.
On Sunday, April 2, from 8 am to noon (ET), AEterna Zentaris will present
abstract #499, "A NEW HIGHLY POTENT CYTOTOXIC COMPOUND WITH INHIBITORY EFFECTS
ON TUBULIN POLYMERIZATION AND TOPOISOMERASE II", with respect to ZEN-012/ZEN-017
as a potential treatment for breast, colon and skin cancer, as well as leukemia.
On Monday, April 3, from 1 pm to 5 pm (ET), abstract #3082, "TARGETED THERAPY OF
GYNECOLOGICAL TUMORS WITH CYTOTOXIC PEPTIDE ANALOGS", will outline preclinical
results on cytotoxic conjugates for gynaecological cancers.
Lastly, on Tuesday, April 4, from 8 am to noon (ET), the Company will present
abstract #3808, "NOVEL PYRIDOPYRAZINE-UREA DERIVATIVES ARE HIGHLY SELECTIVE DUAL
MECHANISM INHIBITORS OF PI3K AND ERK1/2", relating to preclinical results on
signal transduction inhibitors in breast, colon and pancreatic cancer.
ABOUT AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a growing global biopharmaceutical company engaged in
the discovery, development and marketing of therapies for cancer and endocrine
disorders.
AEterna Zentaris also owns 48.4% of the equity of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc.
(TSX: ATB.sv) and 64.8% of its voting rights. Atrium is a developer,
manufacturer and marketer of science-based products for the cosmetics,
pharmaceutical, chemical and nutritional industries.
News releases and additional information are available at
www.aeternazentaris.com.
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[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.
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CONTACTS
MEDIA RELATIONS INVESTOR RELATIONS
Paul Burroughs Jenene Thomas
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406 (418) 655-6420 or
paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com (908) 996-3154
---------------------------------- jenene.thomas@aeternazentaris.com
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SIGNATURE
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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: March 29, 2006 By: /s/ Mario Paradis
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Mario Paradis
Senior Finance Director and Corporate Secretary