Aeterna Zentaris Inc. – ‘6-K’ for 4/5/04

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Report of a Foreign Private Issuer   —   Form 6-K
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 6-K         Report of a Foreign Private Issuer                    10     37K 

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FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
 the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 For the month of April 2004

 AETERNA LABORATORIES INC.
 ---------------------------------------------------
 (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
                   -----             -----

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
                -----          -----

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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 DOCUMENTS INDEX

                                                                [Download Table]


DOCUMENTS  DESCRIPTION                                                            
---------  -----------                                                            
                                                                                  
1.         Press release of March 29, 2004: AETERNA ADOPTS SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

2.         Press release of March 31, 2004: AETERNA SUBSIDIARY ZENTARIS REPORTS   
           POSITIVE PRECLINICAL RESULTS FROM NOVEL PYRAZOLE COMPOUND              

3.         Press release of April 2, 2004: AETERNA SUBSIDIARY ZENTARIS SIGNS NEW  
           AGREEMENT WITH ARDANA BIOSCIENCE FOR LHRH ANTAGONIST TEVERELIX         

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                                                                   PRESS RELEASE
                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AETERNA ADOPTS SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC, MARCH 29, 2004 - AEterna Laboratories Inc. (TSX: AEL;      
Nasdaq: AELA) announced today that its Board of Directors has adopted a         
shareholder rights plan (the "Rights Plan"), which takes effect immediately. The
objectives of the Rights Plan are to provide adequate time for the Corporation's
Board of Directors and shareholders to assess an unsolicited takeover bid for   
the Corporation, to provide the Board of Directors with sufficient time to      
explore and develop alternatives for maximizing shareholder value if a takeover 
bid is made, and to provide shareholders with an equal opportunity to           
participate in a takeover bid.                                                  

"This Rights Plan is similar to those adopted by other companies and approved by
their shareholders. Furthermore, AEterna's management and directors believe that
the Rights Plan preserves the fair treatment of all shareholders, is consistent 
with Canadian corporate practices and addresses institutional investor          
guidelines. AEterna is not adopting this Rights Plan in response to any specific
proposal to acquire control of the Corporation, nor is it aware of any such     
intention," said Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief Executive Officer of        
AEterna.                                                                        

While the Rights Plan takes effect immediately, it is subject to regulatory     
approval and to ratification by AEterna's shareholders at its annual general    
meeting on May 26, 2004. The Rights Plan will be in effect for three (3) years, 
with one renewal option, subject to shareholder approval. The rights issued to  
the shareholders under the Rights Plan will be exercisable only when a person or
entity, including any related party(ies), acquires or announces its intention to
acquire more than twenty (20) percent of the outstanding subordinate voting     
shares of AEterna (as such shares may be redesignated or reclassified) without  
complying with the "permitted bid" provisions of the Rights Plan or without     
approval of AEterna's Board of Directors. Should such an acquisition occur, each
right would, upon exercise, entitle a holder, other than the person pursuing the
acquisition together with its related party(ies), to purchase subordinate voting
shares of AEterna at a fifty (50) percent discount to the market price of       
AEterna's shares at the time.                                                   

Under the Rights Plan, a permitted bid is one made to all shareholders that is  
open for acceptance for not less than sixty (60) days. If at the end of such    
sixty (60)-day period more than fifty (50) percent of the outstanding           
subordinate voting shares of AEterna, other than those owned by the person or   
entity pursuing the acquisition together with its related party(ies), have been 
tendered, the person or entity pursuing the acquisition may take up and pay for 
the shares but must extend the bid for a further ten (10) days to allow other   
shareholders to tender. Under the permitted bid mechanism, shareholders will    
have more time to consider the bid and any other options that may be available  
before deciding whether                                                         

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or not to tender their shares to the bid. The Board of Directors will also have 
time to consider and pursue alternatives and to make recommendations to         
shareholders.                                                                   

ABOUT AETERNA LABORATORIES                                                      

AEterna Laboratories Inc. along with its wholly-owned subsidiary Zentaris GmbH, 
is a biopharmaceutical company with an extensive product portfolio, including   
two marketed products and 14 other product candidates under development in      
oncology, endocrinology and infectious diseases. Cetrorelix (Cetrotide(R)) is   
sold in the U.S., Europe and several other countries to the IN VITRO            
fertilization market, and is in Phase II clinical trials for endometriosis,     
uterus myoma and enlarged prostate (BPH). Miltefosine (Impavido(R)) is sold for 
black fever and has successfully completed a Phase III trial in parasitic skin  
disease. Neovastat(R) is in a Phase III trial for non-small cell lung cancer.   
Perifosine, the first orally-active AKT inhibitor, is in Phase II trials for    
multiple cancers. Several other clinical programs are underway with various     
potential development candidates, supported by a worldwide network of scientific
and marketing partnerships. Furthermore, AEterna benefits from a discovery      
platform of 100,000 molecules, which is generating promising new compounds.     

AEterna also owns 62% of its subsidiary Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. which       
develops and markets active ingredients and speciality fine chemicals in the    
health and personal care industry for the cosmetics, chemical, pharmaceutical   
and nutritional industries. Its international business network and portfolio of 
over 1,000 products sold to over 2,000 institutional customers and to over      
36,000 physicians and other health care professionals, have generated           
significant growth in sales and earnings since the Company was founded in       
January 2000. In 2003, Atrium sales exceeded $120 million.                      

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.                               

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.                       

-30-
CONTACTS:                                                                       

AETERNA LABORATORIES                        U.S. INVESTOR RELATIONS             
MEDIA RELATIONS                             Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates      
Paul Burroughs                              Kim Golodetz                        
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406                     (212) 838-3777                      
paul.burroughs@aeterna.com                  kgolodetz@lahai.com                 

INVESTOR RELATIONS                          Bruce Voss                          
Jacques Raymond                             (310) 691-7100                      
(418) 652-8525 ext. 360                     bvoss@lhai.com                      
Cell. : (514) 703-5654                                                          
jacques.raymond@aeterna.com                                                     

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                                                                   PRESS RELEASE
                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AETERNA SUBSIDIARY ZENTARIS REPORTS POSITIVE PRECLINICAL
RESULTS FROM NOVEL PYRAZOLE COMPOUNd

 Results indicate ZEN-014 as a new candidate
 for the development of a potent anticancer drug

ORLANDO, FLORIDA (UNITED STATES), MARCH 31, 2004 - AEterna Laboratories Inc.    
(TSX: AEL; Nasdaq: AELA) and its subsidiary Zentaris GmbH report that positive  
preclinical results of their novel tubulin-inhibitor ZEN-014 were presented     
earlier today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting in 
Orlando, Florida.                                                               

ZEN-014 is a novel pyrazole derivative that was discovered by Zentaris. It      
represents a new class of small molecule tubulin binders with antiangiogenic    
properties which are assumed to be novel highly potent anticancer drugs with    
blockbuster potential.                                                          

ZEN-014 inhibits tubulin polymerization with an IC(50) of 1.3 uM. The treatment 
with non-toxic concentrations (10 nM) of ZEN-014 inhibits endothelial cell      
sprouting and vessel formation. Cancer cells (KB/HeLa) were arrested completely 
in the G2M phase of mitosis at nanomolar concentrations (IC(50): 34 nM) and     
subsequently underwent apoptosis. Several apoptotic parameters as cell membrane 
alterations, increase of caspase 3 and 7 activity, DNA fragmentation and        
inactivation of the Bcl-2 protein are detectable in U937 cancer cells after     
treatment with nanomolar concentrations of ZEN-014.                             

The compound shows an excellent antitumor activity profile in a broad panel of  
tumor cell lines (average IC(50) of 40 nM) including paclitaxel and vincristine 
resistant cells. ZEN-014 exhibits promising IN VIVO activity in a renal cell    
carcinoma model at a dose of 50 mg/kg after oral application.                   

"These excellent results again show the capability of our own drug discovery    
unit which is the core for the continuous supply of new development candidates  
and essential for the growth of our Company", said Prof. Dr. Jurgen Engel,      
Executive Vice President, Global R&D and Chief Operating Officer at AEterna,    
Chairman and Managing Director of Zentaris GmbH.                                

Based on these excellent IN VITRO and IN VIVO activities, ZEN-014 is a promising
new candidate for further preclinical development. ZEN-014 combines             
antiproliferative activity at nanomolar concentrations with strong inhibition of
angiogenesis.                                                                   

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ABOUT AETERNA LABORATORIES                                                      

AEterna Laboratories Inc. along with its wholly-owned subsidiary Zentaris GmbH, 
is a biopharmaceutical company with an extensive product portfolio, including   
two marketed products and several other product candidates under development in 
oncology, endocrinology and infectious diseases. Cetrotide(R) (Cetrorelix) is   
sold in the U.S., Europe and several other countries to the IN VITRO            
fertilization market, and is in Phase II clinical trials for endometriosis,     
uterus myoma and enlarged prostate (BPH). Impavido(R) (Miltefosine) is sold for 
black fever and has successfully completed a Phase III trial in parasitic skin  
disease. Neovastat(R) is in a Phase III trial for non-small cell lung cancer.   
Perifosine, the first orally-active AKT inhibitor, is in Phase II trials for    
multiple cancers. Several other clinical programs are underway with various     
potential development candidates, supported by a worldwide network of scientific
and marketing partnerships. Furthermore, AEterna benefits from a discovery      
platform of 100,000 molecules, which is generating promising new compounds.     

In addition, AEterna owns 62% of Atrium Biotechnologies Inc., which develops and
markets active ingredients and specialty chemicals in the health and personal   
care industry for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemical and nutritional       
sectors. In 2003, Atrium sales exceeded $120 million.                           

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.                               

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.                       

CONTACTS:                                                                       

AETERNA LABORATORIES                                                            
MEDIA RELATIONS                                      INVESTOR RELATIONS         
Paul Burroughs                                       Jacques Raymond            
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406                              (418) 652-8525 ext. 360    
(418) 573-8982 cell.                                 (514) 703-5654 cell.       
paul.burroughs@aeterna.com                           jacques.raymond@aeterna.com

U.S. INVESTOR RELATIONS                              EUROPE                     
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates                       Zentaris GmbH              
Kim Golodetz                                         Dr. Mathias Pietras        
(212) 838-3777                                       phone: + 49 69 42 602 3423 
kgolodetz@lhai.com                                   fax: + 49 69 42 602 3444   
Bruce Voss                                           mathias.pietras@zentaris.de
(310) 691-7100                                       www.zentaris.com           
bvoss@lhai.com                                                                  

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                                                                   PRESS RELEASE
                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AETERNA SUBSIDIARY ZENTARIS SIGNS NEW AGREEMENT WITH
 ARDANA BIOSCIENCE FOR LHRH ANTAGONIST TEVERELIx

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC, APRIL 2, 2004 - AEterna Laboratories Inc. (TSX: AEL ;      
NASDAQ: AELA) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Zentaris GmbH and      
Ardana Bioscience, a specialty pharmaceutical company, from Edinburgh, Scotland,
have signed a new agreement for the LHRH antagonist Teverelix. Ardana acquired  
full global rights and is assigned the intellectual property relating to        
Teverelix and the underlying microcrystalline suspension technology. In return, 
Zentaris receives a substantial payment at signature, fixed annual guaranteed   
payments until 2006, as well as potential future income on sales of Teverelix.  

As part of the agreement, Zentaris will provide certain development services  
and supply clinical samples to Ardana. Teverelix Phase I clinical trial         
evaluating a sustained release formulation for use in prostate cancer is nearing
conclusion.                                                                     

"We are delighted with the restructuring of the existing Teverelix collaboration
in place with our Scottish partner", says Professor Dr. Juergen Engel, Chairman 
and Managing Director of Zentaris GmbH and Chief Operating Officer of AEterna.  
"It emphasises the commitment of Ardana towards a successful development of     
Teverelix. At the same time it allows for Zentaris to generate double-digit     
million Euro risk-free income in the short and mid-term, while also potentially 
profiting from a successful commercialisation of the product."                  

Dr Maureen Lindsay, Ardana Chief Operating Officer said, "We are delighted to   
have secured all global rights to Teverelix, such that we can reap the full     
benefits of its development and commercialization. Our strategy is to focus on  
drugs prescribed by specialist clinicians, a market we can service effectively  
with our planned specialist sales force. Teverelix fits neatly into this        
strategy and is central to our burgeoning research and development portfolio,   
which is on track to provide products that address five different indications in
Phase III clinical trials by the end of 2005."                                  

Mr. Gilles Gagnon, President and Chief Executive Officer of AEterna Laboratories
Inc. added, "Ardana continues to be an important partner beyond Teverelix, also 
holding the worldwide rights to our Growth Hormone Secretagogue (GHS), another  
project from our promising pipeline. This significant transaction is a key step 
in the building of our strategic portfolio."                                    

ABOUT ARDANA BIOSCIENCE                                                         

Ardana Bioscience is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on reproductive 
health. It aims to become a leading source of clinical and commercial innovation
in the $20 billion human reproductive health market, which is growing at 9% per 
annum. In addition to the androgen replacement therapy which will be launched in
the UK in 2004, Ardana has a rich development portfolio including Chronodyne(R) 
(terbutaline) for endometriosis-related infertility (being developed in         
collaboration with Columbia Laboratories (NASDAQ: CBRX) and LHRH analogs        
Teverelix and 'Leuprorelin' for a wide variety of reproductive indications.     
Ardana's therapeutic interests encompass androgen replacement, infertility,     
sexual dysfunction and obstetrics.                                              

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Since its inception, Ardana has raised (pound)34.5 million in three funding     
rounds. Ardana investors include Merlin Biosciences Limited, MVM Limited (MVM), 
Techno Venture Management (TVM), ABN-AMRO Participates, 3i Group plc, ISIS      
Equity Partners plc, Scottish Widows Investment Partnership Ltd, Mitsubishi     
Corporation and Green Highlander, LLC. The company was created in July 2000 to  
commercialise research by the Medical Research Council (MRC)'s Human            
Reproductive Sciences Unit (HRSU) in Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been at the 
forefront of this area of research for the last 30 years. The MRC employs nearly
100 staff at the Unit, which currently receives total annual funding of         
(pound)3.8 million.                                                             

For more information on Ardana, consult www.ardana.co.uk                        

ABOUT AETERNA LABORATORIES                                                      

AEterna Laboratories Inc. along with its wholly-owned subsidiary Zentaris GmbH, 
is a biopharmaceutical company with an extensive product portfolio, including   
two marketed products and 14 other product candidates under development in      
oncology, endocrinology and infectious diseases. Cetrorelix (Cetrotide(R)) is   
sold in the U.S., Europe and several other countries to the IN VITRO            
fertilization market, and is in Phase II clinical trials for endometriosis,     
uterus myoma and enlarged prostate (BPH). Miltefosine (Impavido(R)) is sold for 
black fever and has successfully completed a Phase III trial in parasitic skin  
disease. Neovastat(R) is in a Phase III trial for non-small cell lung cancer.   
Perifosine, the first orally-active AKT inhibitor, is in Phase II trials for    
multiple cancers. Several other clinical programs are underway with various     
potential development candidates, supported by a worldwide network of scientific
and marketing partnerships. Furthermore, AEterna benefits from a discovery      
platform of 100,000 molecules, which is generating promising new compounds.     

AEterna also owns 62% of its subsidiary Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. which       
develops and markets active ingredients and speciality fine chemicals in the    
health and personal care industry for the cosmetics, chemical, pharmaceutical   
and nutritional industries. Its international business network and portfolio of 
over 1,000 products sold to over 2,000 institutional customers and to over      
36,000 physicians and other health care professionals, have generated           
significant growth in sales and earnings since the Company was founded in       
January 2000. In 2003, Atrium sales exceeded $120 million.                      

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.                               
 ---------------

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.                       

-30-

CONTACTS:                                                                       

AETERNA LABORATORIES                                                            
MEDIA RELATIONS                                      INVESTOR RELATIONS         
Paul Burroughs                                       Jacques Raymond            
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406                              (418) 652-8525 ext. 360    

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(418) 573-8982 cell.                                 (514) 703-5654 cell.       
paul.burroughs@aeterna.com                           jacques.raymond@aeterna.com

U.S. INVESTOR RELATIONS                              EUROPE                     
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates                       Zentaris GmbH              
Kim Golodetz                                         Dr. Mathias Pietras        
(212) 838-3777                                       phone: + 49 69 42 602 3423 
kgolodetz@lhai.com                                   fax: + 49 69 42 602 3444   
Bruce Voss                                           mathias.pietras@zentaris.de
(310) 691-7100                                       www.zentaris.com           
bvoss@lhai.com                                                                  

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 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:  April 2, 2004                     By:  /s/ MARIO PARADIS                 
--------------------                          ----------------------------------
                         Mario Paradis
                                        Senior Director, Finance and
                               Corporate Secretary

Dates Referenced Herein

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This ‘6-K’ Filing		Date		First		Last			Other Filings
		5/26/04		3					None on these Dates
Filed on / For Period End:		4/5/04
		4/2/04		2		10
		3/31/04		2		5
		3/29/04		2		3
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