QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - AEterna Zentaris Inc. , 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. 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 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.
AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
CONTACT: Jenene Thomas, Senior Director, Investor Relations & CorporateCommunications, (418) 655-6420 or (908) 996-3154,jenene.thomas@aeternazentaris.com; Paul Burroughs, Media Relations, (418)652-8525 ext. 406, paul.burroughs@aeternazentaris.com