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 October 2002
AETERNA LABORATORIES INC.
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
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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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit Description
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1. Press Release of October 2, 2002 - AEterna signs a new agreement for
marketing NeovastatTM in Australia, Canada and Mexico
[AETERNA LABORATOIRES LOGO]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AETERNA SIGNS A NEW AGREEMENT FOR MARKETING NEOVASTAT (TM)
IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA AND MEXICO
Exclusive rights granted to Mayne Pharma, an Australian multinational
*ALL AMOUNTS ARE IN CANADIAN DOLLARS
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC, OCTOBER 2, 2002 - AEterna Laboratories Inc. (TSX: AEL;
NASDAQ: AELA) today announced at the BioContact Quebec 2002 Symposium, that it
has signed an agreement with Australian health care products and services
company Mayne Group Limited (ASX: MAY.AX), incorporating the former Faulding
Pharmaceuticals, for marketing Neovastat(TM) in Australia, New Zealand, Canada
and Mexico. This agreement, together with earlier agreements with Medac GmbH of
Germany and Grupo Ferrer of Spain for the European and Latin American markets,
extends AEterna's coverage for Neovastat(TM) to near 45% of the oncology world
market and allows the Company to reach the $50 million mark in milestone
payments, in addition to return on manufacturing and royalties generated by
sales of Neovastat(TM).
"This new agreement fits perfectly into our multipartnership strategy and
represents an additional vote of confidence in our product," declared Gilles
Gagnon, AEterna's President and Chief Operating Officer. "This agreement enables
us to join forces with a multinational pharmaceutical company with oncology
experience in 50 countries."
Neovastat(TM) will complement Mayne Pharma's existing strong product portfolio
in the Canadian, Australian and Mexican markets.
"Mayne is attracted to the opportunity this partnership presents as the product
has multiple mechanisms of action, an excellent safety profile, and well
designed ongoing Phase III studies," stated Michel Charbonneau, President of
Mayne Pharma Canada Inc.
ABOUT MAYNE
Mayne, which acquired Faulding Laboratories in 2001, has businesses in
pharmaceuticals (the manufacture of oral and injectable pharmaceuticals for
distribution to more than 50 countries), health-related consumer products,
hospitals, health services (pathology, diagnostic imaging, medical centres,
pharmacy services), and logistics (contract logistics, time-critical express and
cash logistics). Mayne, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, has a
presence in 60 countries and employs approximately 38,000 staff worldwide.
On August 28, 2002, Mayne announced it was progressing with a separation of its
non-health care logistics assets, a process that the company expects to complete
by the end of calendar 2002.
ABOUT AETERNA AND NEOVASTAT(TM)
AEterna Laboratories Inc. is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company and one of
the world leaders in the development of angiogenesis inhibitors, primarily
in oncology.
Its product, Neovastat(TM), is currently undergoing two Phase III clinical
trials for treatment of lung and kidney cancer and one Phase II trial for
treatment of multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. These clinical trials are
currently being held in more than 140 clinical institutions in Canada, the U.S.
and several European countries.
AEterna also holds 64% of its subsidiary Atrium Biotechnologies, a company that
develops and markets food supplements, specialty chemicals and active
ingredients for the cosmetic, fine chemical, pharmaceutical, and nutrition
industries. The Company currently markets over 500 products in 20 countries to
industry leaders such as Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, Clarins, Chanel, Aventis,
SanofiSynthelabo and Nestle.
AEterna shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (AEL) and the
NASDAQ (AELA).
News releases and additional information about AEterna are available on its Web
site at Internet, www.aeterna.com.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are 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 the business opportunities in
the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and
general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult the Company's
ongoing 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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CANADA
Media relations: Investor relations:
Paul Burroughs Jacques Raymond
Tel.: (418) 652-8525 ext. 406 Tel.: (418) 652-8525 ext. 360
Fax: (418) 577-7700 Fax: (418) 577-7700
E-mail: paul.burroughs@aeterna.com E-mail: jacques.raymond@aeterna.com
USA
The Investor Relations Group
Lisa Lindberg
Tel.: (212) 825-3210
Fax: (212) 825-3229
E-mail: TheProTeam@aol.com
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 LABORATORIES INC.
Date: October 2, 2002 By: /s/Claude Vadboncoeur
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Claude Vadboncoeur
Vice President, Legal Affairs and
Corporate Secretary