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&;AElig;terna Zentaris Receives US$5.5 Million from Institutional Investors

^{Published on 2009-10-23 13:19:40 - Market Wire}
 

QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - Æterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS; TSX: AEZ), (the "Company") a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, announced today that it has completed its previously announced registered direct offering of US$5.5 million of units comprised of common shares and common share purchase warrants to certain institutional investors. Æterna Zentaris received net proceeds of approximately US$5.1 million after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. All of the common shares and warrants were offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement. Proceeds from the transaction will be used for general corporate purposes, including clinical development of the Company's leading compounds.

Juergen Engel, Ph. D., President and CEO of Æterna Zentaris stated, "We are very pleased with this vote of confidence from targeted specialized institutional investors. In addition, completing this financing provides us with additional funds that will help us to continue to further strengthen and advance our promising pipeline."

As of October 23, 2009 and after issuing 4,583,335 common shares at the closing of the offering, the Company had 63,089,954 common shares issued and outstanding without giving effect to or assuming the exercise of any outstanding warrants.

A shelf registration statement relating to the common shares and warrants issued in the offering (and the common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants) has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and has been declared effective. A prospectus supplement relating to the offering was filed with the SEC. Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be obtained directly from Æterna Zentaris Inc., 1405 du Parc-Technologique Boulevard, Quebec City, Canada G1P 4P5. This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of Æterna Zentaris' common shares or warrants. No offer, solicitation or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

Rodman & Renshaw, LLC, a subsidiary of Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc., (Nasdaq: RODM), acted as the exclusive placement agent for the transaction.

About Æterna Zentaris Inc.

Æterna 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.aezsinc.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 required by a governmental authority or applicable law.