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 December 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-____
DOCUMENTS INDEX
DOCUMENTS DESCRIPTION
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1. Press Release of December 18, 2002 - Dr. Eric Dupont, Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of AEterna Laboratories Inc. Makes a
Personal Donation of CDN $1 Million to Five Cancer Charities
[LOGO OMITTED]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DR. ERIC DUPONT, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER OF AETERNA LABORATORIES INC. MAKES A PERSONAL DONATION
OF CDN $1 MILLION TO FIVE CANCER CHARITIES
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC, DECEMBER 18, 2002 - Dr. Eric Dupont, Chairman of the Board
and CEO of AEterna Laboratories Inc. (TSX: AEL; NASDAQ: AELA) today announced
that he is making a personal donation of subordinate voting shares of AEterna
valued at CDN $1 million, to five charitable organizations that work with cancer
patients.
"Ever since the first day I became involved in scientific research, I have had
the same goal: to be able to make a major contribution in the fight against
cancer," declared Dr. Dupont. "It is my desire that this donation to these
organizations will enable us to provide some hope and comfort to patients
afflicted with this dreaded disease. The sums will be used for several purposes
such as prevention programs, access to experimental treatments and accompaniment
during the terminal phase."
Dr. Dupont will make his donation by transferring a number of subordinate shares
from his personal holdings in AEterna, with an equivalent value of CDN $1
million. This donation has a marginal effect on the participation in AEterna of
Dr. Eric Dupont, the Company's principal shareholder. His participation in the
corporation now stands at 11.7% instead of 12.2%.
Full details of this donation will be disclosed during a press conference to be
held this morning, Wednesday, December 18, at 10:00 a.m. at Le Cercle de la
Garnison, 97 Chemin Saint-Louis, Quebec.
ABOUT AETERNA AND NEOVASTAT
AEterna is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company and a frontrunner in the
development of an angiogenesis inhibitor, primarily in oncology.
Neovastat is currently undergoing two Phase III clinical trials for the
treatment of lung and kidney cancer and one Phase II trial for the treatment of
multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. These trials are currently being held
in more than 120 clinical institutions in Canada, the United States and several
European countries.
Atrium Biotechnologies Inc., a 61.8% owned subsidiary of AEterna Laboratories,
develops and markets nutritional supplements, as well as active ingredients and
fine chemicals intended for the cosmetics, nutritional, fine chemicals and
pharmaceutical
industries. The Company 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
National Market (AELA).
News releases and additional information about AEterna are available on its Web
site at 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:
Paul Burroughs
Tel.: (418) 652-8525 ext. 406
Fax: (418) 577-7700
E-mail: paul.burroughs@aeterna.com
Investor Relations:
Jacques Raymond
Tel.: (418) 652-8525 ext. 360
Fax: (418) 577-7700
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: December 18, 2002 By: /s/ Claude Vadboncoeur
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Claude Vadboncoeur
Vice President, Legal Affairs and
Corporate Secretary