QUEBEC CITY, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - AEterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS; TSX: AEZ;), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today announced it has completed the sale of all issued and outstanding shares of its wholly-owned Salt Lake City, Utah-based subsidiary, Echelon Biosciences Inc., to Frontier Scientific Inc. The transaction represents $3.2 million, including $2.6 million upfront and payable immediately with a $0.6 million in contingent consideration.
David J. Mazzo, Ph.D., President and CEO of AEterna Zentaris Inc. stated, "We are very pleased to have finalized the transaction with Frontier Scientific for the sale of Echelon. It is our intention to divest our remaining non-core assets as they provide additional non-dilutive sources of funds that we will dedicate to advance our lead development programs, specifically our ongoing Phase 3 program with cetrorelix for the treatment of BPH."
Dr. Jerry Bommer, President of Frontier Scientific commented, "Frontier Scientific and Echelon Biosciences both have outstanding personnel and complementary markets, technologies, facilities, and operations. The acquisition will lead to new technology development and growth opportunities."
On October 2, 2007, the Company announced its intention to divest its non-core assets, including Echelon Biosciences.
About Echelon Biosciences Inc.
Echelon Biosciences Inc., a Salt Lake City based biotechnology company with 20 employees, is engaged in furthering the science of lipid cell signalling and critical metabolic enzymes, which provide new and viable targets for the development of potential drugs and diagnostics for cancer, diabetes, inflammation, infections, and cardiovascular disease. The focus is also on small molecule agonists and antagonists to lipid-protein signalling interactions which are new and important therapeutic targets. Furthermore, Echelon markets chemical reagents.
About Frontier Scientific, Inc.
Frontier Scientific Inc. (FSI) is a chemical developer, manufacturer and custom research services provider to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, industrial chemical, government, and academic sectors. FSI specializes in the development of chemical compounds and processes related to porphyrins, phthalocyanines and boronic acids. FSI is a privately-held corporation established in 1975 and headquartered in Logan, Utah.
About AEterna Zentaris Inc.
AEterna Zentaris Inc. is 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. 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.
SOURCE AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
