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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2017

Registration No. 333-            


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)

Canada
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

315 Sigma Drive, Suite 302D
Summerville, South Carolina 29486
(843) 900-3223
(Address and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices)

Aeterna Zentaris, Inc.,
315 Sigma Drive, Suite 302D
Summerville, South Carolina 29486
(843) 900-3211
(Name, address, and telephone number of agent for service)

Copies to:

Philip A. Theodore
Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
315 Sigma Drive, Suite 302D
Summerville, South Carolina 29486
(843) 900-3211

 

Elliot Shapiro, Esq.
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 2500
Montreal, Quebec
Canada, H3B 1R1
(514) 847-4747

 

Christopher Hilbert, Esq.
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
1301 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York 10019-6022,
United States
(212) 318-3388

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

           If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.    o

           If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.    ý

           If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

           If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, please check the following box.    o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box.    o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

           
 
Title of Each Class of Securities
to be Registered

  Amount to be
Registered(1)

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(2)

  Amount of
Registration Fee(2)

 

Common Shares, without par or nominal value

           
 

Total

  US$50,000,000   US$50,000,000   US$2,051.85

 

(1)
There are being registered under this Registration Statement such indeterminate number of Common Shares as shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed US$50,000,000. Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminable number of additional Common Shares that may become issuable pursuant to terms designed to prevent dilution resulting from share splits, share dividends or similar events. In addition, all Common Shares of the registrant carry rights to purchase additional Common Shares pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement between the registrant and Computershare Trust Company of Canada. Such purchase rights are attached to and trade with the Common Shares. Value attributable to such rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of the Common Shares. The proposed maximum initial offering price per security will be determined, from time to time, by the registrant in connection with the sale of the securities under this Registration Statement.

(2)
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o). Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the Common Shares registered pursuant to this Registration Statement include $32,296,418 of unsold Common Shares previously registered on the registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed on March 14, 2014 and declared effective on March 28, 2014 (File No. 333-194547) (the "Prior Registration Statement"). The Prior Registration Statement registered Common Shares for a proposed maximum aggregate offering price of $50,000,000, of which $32,296,418 of Common Shares remain unsold. In connection with the filing of the Prior Registration Statement, the registrant paid a registration fee of $4,159.78 in respect of such unsold Common Shares. In accordance with Question 212.24 of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Corporation Finance's Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations regarding Securities Act Rules, the registrant is not required to pay any additional fee with respect to the $32,296,418 of unsold Common Shares being included in this Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 415(a)(6), because such unsold Common Shares (and associated fees) are being moved from the Prior Registration Statement to this Registration Statement. Accordingly, the "Amount of Registration Fee" above reflects only the registration fee attributable to the $17,703,582 of new Common Shares registered on this Registration Statement. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) of the Securities Act, the $4,159.78 registration fee previously paid by the registrant relating to the unsold Common Shares included on this Registration Statement will continue to be applied to such unsold Common Shares.

           The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Securities Act, may determine.

   


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 21, 2017


PART I—INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

PROSPECTUS

LOGO

US$50,000,000

Common Shares



        Aeterna Zentaris Inc. ("Aeterna Zentaris", "we", "us" or the "Company") may from time to time during the period that this prospectus (the "Prospectus"), including any amendments hereto, remains valid, offer, sell, and issue under this Prospectus common shares (the "Common Shares") having an aggregate initial offering price of US$50,000,000 in one or more at-the-market or similar transactions in such amounts and, if applicable, with such terms, as we may determine in light of prevailing market conditions at the time of sale.

        The specific terms of any offering of Common Shares will be set out in the applicable supplement to this Prospectus (each, a "Prospectus Supplement"), including, where applicable, the number of Common Shares offered, the manner of determination of the public offering price, the currency in which the Common Shares will be issued and any other specific terms applicable thereto.

        NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

        Investing in the Common Shares involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors".

        Our Common Shares are listed on both the NASDAQ Capital Market ("NASDAQ") and on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "AEZS". On March 20, 2017, the last reported sales price of our Common Shares on NASDAQ was $2.90 per share and on TSX was C$3.90 per share.

        The Common Shares may be sold through agents designated by us from time to time in transactions only in the U.S. that are "at-the-market" or similar offerings. In addition, we may sell securities directly to one or more purchasers in the U.S. without the involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers. We may also sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others in the U.S. who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. The Common Shares will generally be offered at prevailing market prices at the time of sale. The Prospectus Supplement will set out the names of any agents or any such direct institutional investors in or purchasers of our Common Shares involved in the sale or re-sale of our Common Shares and the plan of distribution for such Common Shares, including the manner of determination of the public offering price and the compensation of any such agents and/or such other amounts payable to any direct institutional investors in and purchasers of our Common Shares. See "Plan of Distribution".

   

The date of this Prospectus is                        , 2017


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

  2

OUR BUSINESS

  2

RISK FACTORS

  6

SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  6

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

  6

USE OF PROCEEDS

  8

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

  8

CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

  9

LEGAL MATTERS

  9

EXPERTS

  9

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

  9

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

  10

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

  10

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This Prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell Common Shares in one or more at-the-market offerings for a maximum aggregate offering price of $50,000,000. This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the Common Shares that we may offer. Each time we sell Common Shares, we will provide a Prospectus Supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The Prospectus Supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, you should rely on the information in the Prospectus Supplement. Before investing in our Common Shares, you should read both this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information".

        The financial statements included in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Our consolidated financial statements are subject to Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and auditor independence standards, in addition to the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and the SEC independence standards, and thus may not be comparable to financial statements of United States ("U.S.") companies.

        You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this Prospectus. The information contained in this Prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this Prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this Prospectus or of any sale of our Common Shares.

        Unless otherwise stated, currency amounts in this Prospectus are stated in United States dollars, or "$" or "US$".

        In this Prospectus and in any Prospectus Supplement, unless otherwise indicated, references to "we", "us", "our", "Aeterna Zentaris" or the "Company" are to Aeterna Zentaris Inc., a Canadian corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless it is clear that such terms refer only to Aeterna Zentaris Inc. excluding its subsidiaries.


OUR BUSINESS

        Overview.    We are a specialty biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing and commercializing novel treatments in oncology, endocrinology and women's health. We are engaged in drug development activities and in the promotion of products for others. We recently completed two Phase 3 studies of two internally developed components. The focus of our business development efforts is the acquisition or license of products that are relevant to our therapeutic areas of focus. We also intend to license out certain commercial rights of internally developed products to licensees in non-U.S. territories where such out-licensing would enable us to ensure development, registration and launch of our product candidates. Our goal is to become a growth-oriented specialty biopharmaceutical company by pursuing successful development and commercialization of our product portfolio and by achieving successful commercial presence and growth, while consistently delivering value to our shareholders, employees and the medical providers and patients who will benefit from our products.

        Our Strategy.    Our primary business strategy is to finalize the development and to pursue registration of our principal product candidates—Zoptrex™ (zoptarelin doxorubicin) and Macrilen™ (macimorelin) in oncology and endocrinology, respectively—and to commercialize oncology, endocrinology and women's health products that we may acquire, in-license or promote. The registration of Zoptrex™ is subject to receiving positive top-line results, and the registration of

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Macrilen™ is subject to the outcome of our meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") scheduled for the end of March 2017.

        Drug Development.    Our drug development efforts are currently focused on two compounds, Zoptrex™ and Macrilen™ as well as on an LHRH-disorazol Z conjugate (AEZS-138), which is in pre-clinical development in oncology and is available for partnering. We made the decision to focus our efforts in pre-clinical development on one compound following a review of our portfolio, during which we concluded that we lack the resources to pursue other earlier-stage opportunities. As a result of this decision, we discontinued drug discovery efforts, including basic research activities in medicinal chemistry and biology and our high-throughput-screening operations, which resulted in a reduction of our research and development staff by approximately 29 personnel during 2014.

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        Commercial Operations.    Our commercial operations consist of a full-time sales force and a sales-management staff. We currently have 13 sales representatives in the United States, who provide services solely for us pursuant to our agreement with a contract-sales organization. Our sales force is managed by two Regional Sales Managers, a National Sales Director and led by our Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Our sales force is currently promoting two products:

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        Our sales force will also be available for the launch of our own potential product candidates (i.e., Zoptrex™ and Macrilen™) in the U.S., in the event the products may ultimately be approved for sale in the U.S.

        We also continue to pursue opportunities to in-license or acquire additional commercial products that are relevant to our therapeutic areas of focus. Our preference is to in-license or acquire additional commercial products because we wish to control all aspects of the commercialization of the products and to record the sales revenue from the products.

Corporate Information

        We were incorporated on September 12, 1990 under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "CBCA") and continue to be governed by the CBCA. Our registered address is 1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 2500, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3B 1R1, c/o Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP. Our corporate head office is located at 315 Sigma Drive, Suite 302D, Summerville, South Carolina, USA, 29486; our telephone number is (843) 900-3223 and our website is www.aezsinc.com. None of the documents or information found on our website shall be deemed to be included in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, unless such document is specifically incorporated herein by reference.

        We currently have three wholly owned direct and indirect subsidiaries, Aeterna Zentaris GmbH ("AEZS Germany"), based in Frankfurt, Germany, Zentaris IVF GmbH, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of AEZS Germany, based in Frankfurt, Germany, and Aeterna Zentaris, Inc., an entity incorporated in the State of Delaware based in the Charleston, South Carolina area in the U.S.

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RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our Common Shares involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, together with all of the other information incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, including those described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and subsequent consolidated financial statements and corresponding management's discussion and analysis filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and our Reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC including our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and corresponding management's discussion and analysis.


SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements concerning the business, operations, financial performance and condition of the Company. When used in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expects", "plans", "seeks", "anticipates", "intends", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements, based as they are on the current expectations of management, inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, many of which are beyond our control.

        More detailed information about these and other factors is referenced under "Risk Factors" in this Prospectus as well as in other documents incorporated herein by reference. Many of these factors are beyond our control. Future events may vary substantially from what we currently foresee. You should not place undue reliance, if any, on such forward-looking statements. The Company disavows and is under no obligation to update or alter such forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities legislation.


DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

        Our authorized share capital structure consists of an unlimited number of shares of the following classes (all classes are without nominal or par value): Common Shares; and first preferred shares (the "First Preferred Shares") and second preferred shares (the "Second Preferred Shares" and, together with the First Preferred Shares, the "Preferred Shares"), each issuable in series. As of the date of this Prospectus, there are 13,556,104 Common Shares issued and outstanding. No Preferred Shares have been issued to date.

Common Shares

        The holders of the Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each Common Share held by them at all meetings of shareholders, except meetings at which only shareholders of a specified class of shares are entitled to vote. In addition, the holders are entitled to receive dividends if, as and when declared by the Company's Board of Directors on the Common Shares. Finally, the holders of the Common Shares are entitled to receive the remaining property of the Company upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary. Shareholders have no liability to further capital calls as all issued and outstanding shares are fully paid and non-assessable.

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Preferred Shares

        The Preferred Shares are issuable in series with rights and privileges specific to each class. The holders of Preferred Shares are not entitled to receive notice of or to attend or vote at meetings of shareholders. The holders of First Preferred Shares are entitled to preference and priority to any participation of holders of Second Preferred Shares, Common Shares or shares of any other class of shares of the share capital of the Company ranking junior to the First Preferred Shares with respect to dividends and, in the event of the liquidation of the Company, the distribution of its property upon its dissolution or winding-up, or the distribution of all or part of its assets among the shareholders, to an amount equal to the value of the consideration paid in respect of such shares outstanding, as credited to the issued and paid-up share capital of the Company, on an equal basis, in proportion to the amount of their respective claims in regard to such shares held by them. The holders of Second Preferred Shares are entitled to preference and priority to any participation of holders of Common Shares or shares of any other class of shares of the share capital of the Company ranking junior to the Second Preferred Shares with respect to dividends and, in the event of the liquidation of the Company, the distribution of its property upon its dissolution or winding-up, or the distribution of all or part of its assets among the shareholders, to an amount equal to the value of the consideration paid in respect of such shares outstanding, as credited to the issued and paid-up share capital of the Company, on an equal basis, in proportion to the amount of their respective claims in regard to such shares held by them.

        Our Board of Directors may, from time to time, provide for additional series of Preferred Shares to be created and issued, but the issuance of any Preferred Shares is subject to the general duties of the directors under the Canada Business Corporations Act to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.

Shareholder Rights Plan

        Our Board of Directors adopted a shareholder rights plan on March 29, 2016 (the "Rights Plan"). Computershare Trust Company of Canada acts as rights agent under the Rights Plan. Our shareholders approved, ratified and confirmed the Rights Plan at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 10, 2016. The fundamental objectives of the Rights Plan are to provide adequate time for our Board and shareholders to assess an unsolicited take-over bid for us, to provide the Board with sufficient time to explore and develop alternatives for maximizing shareholder value if a take-over bid is made, and to provide shareholders with an equal opportunity to participate in a take-over bid. The Rights Plan encourages a potential acquiror who makes a take-over bid to proceed either by way of a "Permitted Bid", which requires a take-over bid to satisfy certain minimum standards designed to promote fairness, or with the concurrence of our Board. If a take-over bid fails to meet these minimum standards and the Rights Plan is not waived by the Board, the Rights Plan provides that holders of Common Shares, other than the acquiror, will be able to purchase additional Common Shares at a significant discount to market, thus exposing the person acquiring Common Shares to substantial dilution of its holdings.

        Pursuant to the terms of the Rights Plan, one right was issued in respect of each Common Share outstanding at 5:01 p.m. on March 29, 2016 (the "Record Time"). In addition, we will issue one right for each additional Common Share issued after the Record Time, and prior to the earlier of the "Separation Time" (as defined in the Rights Plan) and the Expiration Time (as defined in the Rights Plan). The rights have an initial exercise price equal to the Market Price (as defined in the Rights Plan) of the Common Shares as determined at the Separation Time, multiplied by five, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments (the "Exercise Price"), and they are not exercisable until the Separation Time. Upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event (as defined in the Rights Plan), each right will entitle the holder thereof, other than an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Plan) or any other person whose rights are or become void pursuant to the provisions of the Rights Plan, to

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purchase from us, effective at the close of business on the eighth trading day after the Stock Acquisition Date (as defined below), upon payment to us of the Exercise Price, Common Shares having an aggregate Market Price equal to twice the Exercise Price on the date of consummation or occurrence of such Flip-in Event, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments.

        The Rights Plan is described in detail in Item 10.B. of our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds resulting from the issuance of Common Shares will be used for the general corporate purposes of Aeterna Zentaris, which may include the funding of the preparation and submission of an NDA for Zoptrex™, if the results of our recently completed clinical trial of such product warrants doing so, to pursue FDA registration for Macrilen™, if the FDA agrees with our conclusion that the data from the Phase 3 study support registration, the potential in-licensing or acquisition of new commercial products or other corporate and business development activities, and the potential expansion of existing product candidates into other indications. All expenses relating to an offering of Common Shares and any compensation paid to underwriters, dealers or agents, as the case may be, will be paid out of our general funds or from the proceeds of any offering under this Prospectus or a Prospectus Supplement. The use of proceeds will be specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of Common Shares, as required by applicable securities legislation.


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Sales through Agents

        The Common Shares may be sold to one or more purchasers through one or more agents pursuant to one or more sales agreements to be entered into between us and any such agents. The sales, if any, of Common Shares under the applicable sales agreement and Prospectus Supplement will be made in the U.S. only and will only be made by way of "at-the-market" offerings. The Common Shares may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions at prevailing market prices at the time of sale. The prices at which the Common Shares may be offered may vary as between purchasers and during the period of distribution. Any agent's overall compensation will vary depending on the gross proceeds from the sale of such Common Shares.

        A Prospectus Supplement will identify each agent engaged by us in connection with the offering and sale of a particular issue of Common Shares, and will also set forth the terms of the offering, including the manner of determination of the public offering price, the proceeds to us and any compensation payable to the agents.

        Under the sales agreements which may be entered into by Aeterna Zentaris, agents who participate in the distribution of the Common Shares may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising out of any misrepresentation in this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein, other than liabilities arising out of any misrepresentation made by agents who participate in the offering of the Common Shares.

Direct Sales

        In addition, we may sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without the involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers. We may also sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. The sales, if any, of Common Shares to any such direct institutional

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investors or purchasers under the applicable agreement and Prospectus Supplement will be made in the U.S. only and will generally only be made by way of "at-the-market" or similar offerings.


CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe certain Canadian federal income tax consequences to an investor acquiring any Common Shares offered thereunder, including, for investors who are non-residents of Canada, whether the payments of dividends (or any other amounts) on the Common Shares, if any, will be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax.

        The applicable Prospectus Supplement may also describe certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of any Common Shares offered thereunder by an initial investor who is a U.S. person (within the meaning of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended).


LEGAL MATTERS

        Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to any offering of Common Shares, certain legal matters relating to the offering of the Common Shares under this Prospectus will be passed upon for us by Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP with respect to matters of Canadian law and by Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP with respect to matters of U.S. law. In addition, certain legal matters in connection with any offering of Common Shares under this Prospectus will be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel to be designated at the time of the offering by such underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to matters of applicable law.

        The partners and associates of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP as a group and the partners and associates of Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP as a group, each beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of the outstanding securities of any class of securities issued by us.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements incorporated into this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Aeterna Zentaris Inc. for the financial year ended December 31, 2016, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.


ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

        We are a corporation incorporated under and governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act. Many of our officers and directors, and some of the experts named in this Prospectus, are residents of Canada or elsewhere outside of the U.S., and a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of such persons are located outside the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult for investors in the U.S. to effect service of process within the U.S. upon such directors, officers and representatives of experts who are not residents of the U.S. or to enforce against them judgments of a U.S. court predicated solely upon civil liability under U.S. federal securities laws or the securities laws of any state within the U.S. We have been advised by our legal counsel, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, that a judgment of a U.S. court predicated solely upon civil liability under U.S. federal securities laws would probably be enforceable in Canada if the U.S. court in which the judgment was obtained has a basis for jurisdiction in the matter that would be recognized by a Canadian court for the same purposes. We have also been advised by Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, however, that there is substantial doubt as to whether an action could be brought in Canada in the first instance on the basis of liability predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual reports on Form 20-F with the SEC, and we furnish other documents, such as quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information and documents that we file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, to the SEC, as required. You may read and copy any materials we file with or furnish to the SEC at the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants who file electronically with the SEC. As we are a Canadian issuer, we also file continuous disclosure documents with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which documents are available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com.

        This Prospectus forms part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this Prospectus regarding us and our Common Shares, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or electronically at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        The following documents have been filed with the various securities commissions or similar securities regulatory authorities in Canada and are specifically incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of, this Prospectus:

        All subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F filed by us and all subsequent reports on Form 6-K furnished by us that are identified by us as being incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and deemed to be a part hereof after the date of this Prospectus but before the termination of the offering by this Prospectus.

        We will provide each person to whom this Prospectus is delivered a copy of the information that has been incorporated into this Prospectus by reference but not delivered with the Prospectus (except

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exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated into this Prospectus by reference). You may obtain copies of these documents, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
315 Sigma Drive, Suite 302D
Summerville, South Carolina
USA, 29486
Tel. (843) 900-3223

        Any statement contained in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded, for the purposes of this Prospectus, to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information set forth in the document that it modifies or supersedes. The making of a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was made. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not constitute a part of this Prospectus, except as so modified or superseded.

        Upon a new annual information form or annual report on Form 20-F and the related audited annual consolidated financial statements together with the auditors' report thereon and management's discussion and analysis related thereto being filed by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the currency of this Prospectus, the previous annual information form or annual report on Form 20-F, the previous audited annual consolidated financial statements and all interim financial statements, annual and quarterly management's discussion and analyses, material change reports and business acquisition reports filed by us prior to the commencement of our financial year in which the new annual information form or annual report on Form 20-F was filed, no longer shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus for the purpose of future offers and sales of Common Shares hereunder.

        One or more Prospectus Supplements containing the terms of an offering of Common Shares and other information in relation to such Common Shares will be delivered to purchasers of such Common Shares together with this Prospectus and shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus as of the date of such Prospectus Supplement solely for the purposes of the offering of the Common Shares covered by any such Prospectus Supplement.

        A Prospectus Supplement containing any additional or updated information that we elect to include therein will be delivered with this Prospectus to purchasers of Common Shares who purchase such Common Shares after the filing of this Prospectus and shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Prospectus as of the date of such Prospectus Supplement.

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PART II—INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 8.    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

        Under Section 124 of the Canada Business Corporations Act, the registrant may indemnify a present or former director or officer of the registrant or another individual who acts or acted at the registrant's request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with the registrant or other entity. The registrant may not indemnify an individual unless the individual (i) acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the registrant or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at the registrant's request, and (ii) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. Such indemnification may be made in connection with an action by or on behalf of the registrant or other entity to procure a judgment in its favor only with court approval. A director or officer is entitled to indemnification from the registrant as a matter of right if he or she was not judged by the Court or other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that he or she ought to have done and fulfilled the conditions set forth above. The registrant may advance moneys to a director, officer or other individual for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding referred to above. The individual shall repay the moneys if he or she does not fulfill the conditions set forth above to qualify for indemnification.

        In accordance with provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act described above, the by-laws of the registrant provide that the registrant shall indemnify a director or officer of the registrant, a former director or officer of the registrant or a person who acts or acted at the registrant's request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the registrant is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his or her heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, losses, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by such person in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which such person is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the registrant or such body corporate, if: (a) the person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the registrant and (b) in the case of criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the person had reasonable grounds for believing that their conduct was lawful. The registrant may indemnify from time to time any director or other person who has assumed or is about to assume in the normal course of business any liability for the registrant or for any corporation controlled by the registrant, and to secure such director or other person against any loss by the pledge of all or part of the movable or immovable property of the registrant through the creation of a hypothec or any other real right in all or part of such property or in any other manner.

        The by-laws of the registrant also provide that the registrant may, to the extent permitted by the Canada Business Corporations Act, purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person referred to above against any such liability as the board of directors may from time to time determine.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

        The registrant has also agreed to indemnify and save harmless the directors and its senior corporate officers as well as the managing director of its German subsidiary pursuant to various Director and Officer Indemnification Agreements against certain charges, damages, awards, settlements,

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liabilities, interest, judgments, fines, penalties, statutory obligations, professional fees and retainers and other expenses of whatever nature or kind, provided that any such costs, charges, professional fees and other expenses are reasonable (collectively, "Expenses") and from and against all Expenses sustained or incurred by the indemnified party as a result of serving as a director, officer or employee of the registrant in respect of any act, matter, deed or thing whatsoever made, done, committed, permitted, omitted or acquiesced in by the indemnified party as a director, officer or employee of the registrant. The form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement has been furnished to the Commission as Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Report on Form 6-K dated October 21, 2016.

ITEM 9.    EXHIBITS

        See Exhibit Index following the signature pages of this Registration Statement.

ITEM 10.    UNDERTAKINGS

        (a)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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        (b)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offering therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

        (d)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing and has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form F-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Charleston, South Carolina, on March 21, 2017.

    AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ PHILIP A. THEODORE

        Name:   Philip A. Theodore
        Title:   Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints David A. Dodd and Philip A. Theodore, either of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as the true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, in any and all such capacities, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to this Registration Statement on Form F-3 (including any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under the Securities Act of 1933), and all instruments necessary or in connection therewith, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned each and every act and thing whatsoever necessary or advisable to be done, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        This Power of Attorney may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement on Form F-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on March 21, 2017.

Signature
 
Title

 

 

 
/s/ DAVID A. DODD

David A. Dodd
  President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ GENEVIÈVE LEMAIRE

Geneviève Lemaire

 

Vice President, Finance & Chief Accounting Officer

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Signature
 
Title

 

 

 
/s/ MICHAEL CARDIFF

Michael Cardiff
  Director

/s/ CAROLYN EGBERT

Carolyn Egbert

 

Director and Chair of the Board

/s/ JUERGEN ERNST

Juergen Ernst

 

Director

/s/ GÉRARD LIMOGES

Gérard Limoges

 

Director

/s/ KENNETH NEWPORT

Kenneth Newport

 

Director

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AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned has signed this Registration Statement on Form F-3, solely in the capacity of the duly authorized representative of Aeterna Zentaris Inc. in the United States, on March 21, 2017.

    AETERNA ZENTARIS, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ PHILIP A. THEODORE

        Name:   Philip A. Theodore
        Title:   Authorized Signatory

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number
  Description
  1.1 * At Market Issuance Sales Agreement.

 

4.1

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant's report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on May 25, 2011).

 

4.2

 

Certificate of Amendment and Articles of Amendment of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant's report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on October 3, 2012).

 

4.3

 

Certificate of Amendment and Articles of Amendment of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on November 17, 2015).

 

4.4

 

Amended and Restated By-Law One of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.3 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the Commission on March 22, 2013)

 

4.5

 

Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement between the Registrant and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Rights Agent, dated as at March 29, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on March 30, 2016)

 

5.1

 

Opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP.

 

23.1

 

Consent of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 

23.2

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

 

24.1

 

Power of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this Registration Statement).

*
To be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference.

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