FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of November 2007
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
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-
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DOCUMENTS INDEX
DOCUMENTS DESCRIPTION
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1. Press Release dated November 14, 2007: AEterna Zentaris Announces
Completion of Patient Enrollment for Multi-Center Phase 2 Trial with
Perifosine in Combination with Radiotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung
Cancer
[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 ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF PATIENT ENROLLMENT FOR MULTI-CENTER
PHASE 2 TRIAL WITH PERIFOSINE IN COMBINATION WITH RADIOTHERAPY FOR NON-SMALL
CELL LUNG CANCER
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, NOVEMBER 14, 2007 - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (Nasdaq: AEZS
TSX: AEZ;), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and
oncology, today announced the completion of patient recruitment for the
Company's European multi-center Phase 2 trial in non-small cell lung cancer
(NSCLC) with its novel, first-in-class, oral signal transduction inhibitor,
perifosine. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will assess
the efficacy and safety of a 150 mg daily dose of perifosine when combined with
radiotherapy in 160 patients with inoperable Stage III NSCLC.
David J. Mazzo, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer at AEterna
Zentaris said, "We are pleased to have completed enrollment for our Phase 2
trial with perifosine in combination with radiotherapy. Patients will be
followed for a one-year period after receiving treatment, and therefore, we
expect to announce top-line results at the end of 2008."
ABOUT THE PHASE 2 TRIAL
Patients receive perifosine daily for 5 to 6 weeks, starting seven days prior to
radiotherapy, and are followed for at least 12 months. The primary endpoint of
this trial is the extent and duration of local control, i.e., the absence of
tumor recurrence or progression in the area that has been irradiated.
The trial is being conducted in collaboration with the Netherlands Cancer
Institute. The lead investigator is Marcel Verheij, MD, Ph.D., of the Department
of Radiation Oncology / Division of Cellular Biochemistry, at The Netherlands
Cancer Institute in Amsterdam.
ABOUT PERIFOSINE
Perifosine is a novel, first-in-class, oral anti-cancer agent that modulates
several key signal transduction pathways, including Akt, MAPK, and JNK that have
been shown to be critical for the survival of cancer cells. Perifosine has
demonstrated single agent anti-tumor activity in Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies and
is currently being studied as a single agent and in
[AETERNA ZENTARIS LOGO]
combination with several forms of anti-cancer treatments for various forms of
cancer. Perifosine is licensed to Keryx Biopharmaceuticals in the United States,
Canada and Mexico.
ABOUT AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is a 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
www.aeternazentaris.com.
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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. 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 except if we are requested by a governmental authority or
applicable law.
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CONTACTS
Jenene Thomas
Senior Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
(908) 938-1475
jthomas@aezsinc.com
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Paul Burroughs
Media Relations
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406
pburroughs@aezsinc.com
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SIGNATURE
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: November 15, 2007 By: /s/ MARIO PARADIS
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Mario Paradis
Senior Vice President, Administrative and
Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary