Aeterna Zentaris Announces Extension to Regain Compliance with NASDAQ's Minimum Bid Price Rule

QUEBEC CITY, June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the "Company") announced today that it has received notice from the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Department ("NASDAQ") determining that the Company is eligible for an additional 180 calendar day period, until December 14, 2015, to regain compliance with the minimum $1.00 per share required for continued listing under Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).  The Company's shares continue to trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol AEZS.

Per the notice of deficiency received on December 16, 2014, the Company had a period of 180-calendar days, or until June 16, 2015, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. Following a review, NASDAQ determined that the Company was eligible to receive an additional 180-day period on the basis that Aeterna Zentaris still met the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the NASDAQ Capital Market, with the exception of the minimum bid price requirement.

To regain compliance, the closing bid price of the Company's common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. If compliance cannot be demonstrated by December 14, 2015, NASDAQ's staff will provide written notification that the Company's securities will be delisted. At that time, the Company may appeal NASDAQ staff's determination to a Hearings Panel.

About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing and commercializing novel treatments in oncology, endocrinology and women's health. For more information, visit www.aezsinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the US Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that 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 and clinical trials, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the risk that safety and efficacy data from any of our Phase 3 trials may not coincide with the data analyses from previously reported Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 clinical trials, the ability of the Company to efficiently commercialize one or more of its products or product candidates, the ability of the Company to take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the ability to protect our intellectual property, the potential of liability arising from shareholder lawsuits and general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and US securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance 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, unless required to do so by a governmental authority or by applicable law.

SOURCE Aeterna Zentaris Inc.