Form 6-K - Report of foreign issuer [Rules 13a-16 and 15d-16]

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of August 2023

Commission File Number: 001-38064

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

c/o Norton Rose Fulbright Canada, LLP, 222 Bay Street, Suite 3000, PO Box 53, Toronto ON M5K 1E7

(Address of principal executive office)

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 [X] Form 40-F [ ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 included with this report on Form 6-K are hereby incorporated by reference into the Registrant’s Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (No. 333-224737, No. 333-210561 and No. 333-200834), Forms F-3 (No. 333-254680) and Forms F-1 (No.333-239264, No. 333-248561 and No. 333-239019) and shall be deemed to be a part thereof from the date on which this report is furnished, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

DOCUMENTS INDEX

Exhibit		Description
99.1		Aeterna Zentaris’ Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements – Second Quarter 2023 (Q2)
99.2		Aeterna Zentaris’ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Second Quarter 2023 (Q2)
99.3		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to National Instrument 52-109
99.4		Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to National Instrument 52-109

(2)

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 ZENTARIS INC.

Date: August 9, 2023	By:	/s/ Klaus Paulini
		Klaus Paulini
		President and Chief Executive Officer

(3)

Exhibit 99.1

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars)

(Unaudited)

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	2
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity	3
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss	4
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	6

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(In thousands of US dollars)

(Unaudited)

	As of June 30, 2023			As of December 31, 2022
	$			$
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		42,186			50,611
Trade and other receivables		185			732
Inventory		93			229
Income taxes receivable		792			1,428
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,637			2,488
Total current assets		45,893			55,488

Non-current assets
Restricted cash equivalents		325			322
Property and equipment		265			216
Total non-current assets		591			538
Total assets		46,483			56,026

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Payables and accrued liabilities		3,572			3,828
Provisions		49			45
Income taxes payable		109			108
Deferred revenues (note 3)		202			2,949
Lease liabilities		145			114
Total current liabilities		4,077			7,044

Non-current liabilities
Deferred revenues (note 3)		1,580			1,684
Deferred gain		111			110
Lease liabilities		85			65
Employee future benefits (note 4)		11,381			11,159
Provisions		170			188
Total non-current liabilities		13,327			13,206
Total liabilities		17,404			20,250

Shareholders’ equity
Share capital (note 5)		293,410			293,410
Warrants		5,085			5,085
Contributed surplus		90,654			90,332
Deficit		(358,936	)		(352,084	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,134	)		(967	)
Total Shareholders’ equity		29,079			35,776
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		46,483			56,026

Commitments (note 9)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

Approved by the Board of Directors

/s/ Carolyn Egbert		/s/ Dennis Turpin
Carolyn Egbert, Chair of the Board		Dennis Turpin, Director

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Share capital		Warrants		Contributed surplus		Deficit			Accumulated other comprehensive loss			Total
	$		$		$		$			$			$
Balance – January 1, 2023		293,410		5,085		90,332		(352,084	)		(967	)		35,776
Net loss		-		-		-		(6,772	)		-			(6,772	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		-		-		-		-			(167	)		(167	)
Actuarial loss on defined benefit plans (note 4)		-		-		-		(80	)		-			(80	)
Comprehensive loss								(6,852	)		(167	)		(7,019	)
Share-based compensation costs		-		-		322		-			-			322
Balance – June 30, 2023		293,410		5,085		90,654		(358,936	)		(1,134	)		29,079

	Share capital		Warrants		Contributed surplus		Deficit			Accumulated other comprehensive loss			Total
	$		$		$		$			$			$
Balance – January 1, 2022		293,410		5,085		89,788		(334,619	)		(678	)		52,986
Balance – Value		293,410		5,085		89,788		(334,619	)		(678	)		52,986
Net loss		-		-		-		(6,856	)		-			(6,856	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		-		-		-		-			79			79
Actuarial gain on defined benefit plans		-		-		-		8,025			-			8,025
Comprehensive income								1,169			79			1,248
Comprehensive income (loss)								1,169			79			1,248
Share-based compensation costs		-		-		60		-			-			60
Balance – June 30, 2022		293,410		5,085		89,848		(333,450	)		(599	)		54,294
Balance – Value		293,410		5,085		89,848		(333,450	)		(599	)		54,294

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

	2023			2022			2023			2022
	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
	$			$			$			$
Revenues (note 3)		2,246			(222	)		4,374			1,295

Expenses
Cost of sales		139			13			156			92
Research and development		2,929			2,398			6,941			4,788
Selling, general and administrative		2,033			2,083			4,339			3,944
Total expenses		5,101			4,494			11,436			8,824

Loss from operations		(2,855	)		(4,716	)		(7,062	)		(7,529	)

Gain (loss) due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates		27			502			(32	)		676
Interest income		307			-			320			-
Other finance income (costs)		3			(2	)		2			(3	)
Net finance income		337			500			290			673

Loss before income taxes		(2,518	)		(4,216	)		(6,772	)		(6,856	)

Income tax recovery		-			-			-			-
Net loss		(2,518	)		(4,216	)		(6,772	)		(6,856	)

Other comprehensive loss:
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		3			42			(167	)		79
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
Actuarial gain on defined benefit plans (note 4)		83			5,276			(80	)		8,025
Comprehensive (loss) income		(2,432	)		1,102			(7,019	)		1,248

Basic and diluted loss per share (note 7)		(0.52	)		(0.87	)		(1.39	)		(1.41	)
Basic loss per share (note 7)		(0.52	)		(0.87	)		(1.39	)		(1.41	)

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (basic and diluted)		4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic		4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars)

(Unaudited)

	2023			2022			2023			2022
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
	$			$			$			$
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss for the period		(2,518	)		(4,216	)		(6,772	)		(6,856	)
Items not affecting cash and cash equivalents:
Provisions		18			7			10			5
Depreciation and amortization		44			35			84			71
Share-based compensation costs		306			33			323			60
Employee future benefits		130			98			265			197
Amortization of deferred revenues		(794	)		124			(1,554	)		(704	)
Net foreign exchange differences		(9	)		(513	)		(1	)		(687	)
Other non-cash items		5			495			5			509
Refund (payment) of income taxes		647			(51	)		647			830
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (note 6)		(2,122	)		(862	)		(1,361	)		264
Net cash used in operating activities		(4,293	)		(4,850	)		(8,354	)		(6,311	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Payments on lease liabilities		(42	)		(34	)		(80	)		(68	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(42	)		(34	)		(80	)		(68	)

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment		(3	)		(42	)		(5	)		(48	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(3	)		(42	)		(5	)		(48	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(36	)		(513	)		14			(716	)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(4,374	)		(5,439	)		(8,425	)		(7,143	)
Cash and cash equivalents – Beginning of period		46,560			63,596			50,611			65,300
Cash and cash equivalents – End of period		42,186			58,157			42,186			58,157

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

1. Business overview

Summary of business

Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company commercializing and developing therapeutics and diagnostic tests. The Company’s lead product, Macrilen^® (macimorelin), is the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) approved oral test indicated for the diagnosis of patients with adult growth hormone deficiency (“AGHD”). Macimorelin is currently marketed under the tradename Ghryvelin™ in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom through an exclusive licensing agreement with Pharmanovia. The Company’s several other license and commercialization partners are also seeking approval for commercialization of macimorelin in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the Republic of Korea, Turkey and several non-European Union Balkan countries. The Company is actively pursuing business development opportunities for the commercialization of macimorelin in North America, Asia and the rest of the world.

The Company is also dedicated to the development of therapeutic assets and has taken steps to establish a pre-clinical pipeline to potentially address unmet medical needs across several indications with a focus on rare or orphan indications.

These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) on August 8, 2023.

2. Basis of presentation

These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include all the notes normally included in annual consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022.

The accounting policies used in these condensed interim consolidated financial statements are consistent with those presented in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements.

New standards and amendments

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the Disclosure of Accounting Policies (amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2). The amendments to IAS 1 require that the Company discloses its material accounting policies instead of its significant accounting policies. As a result of the adoption of these amendments, there were no adjustments to the presentation or amounts recognized in the interim financial statements.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The preparation of condensed interim consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the Company’s assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Judgements, estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, expectations, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time at which the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements are prepared.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

Management reviews, on a regular basis, the Company’s accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgements in order to ensure that the condensed interim consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with IFRS applicable to interim financial statements. Critical accounting estimates and assumptions, as well as critical judgements used in applying accounting policies in the preparation of the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements, were the same as those applied to the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022.

3. Revenue

The Company derives revenue from the transfer of goods and services over time and at a point in time in the following categories:

	2023		2022			2023		2022
	Three months ended					Six months ended
	June 30,					June 30,
	2023		2022			2023		2022
		$		$			$		$
License fees		795		(206	)		1,554		226
Development services		1,402		(77	)		2,741		889
Product sales		-		-			-		57
Royalties		7		24			26		43
Supply chain		42		37			53		80
Total		2,246		(222	)		4,374		1,295

The Company recorded revenue for the transfer of services over time for the three-months ended June 30, 2023, of $2,197 (2022 – ($283)) and the six-months ended June 30, 2023, of $4,295 (2022 - $1,115). While revenue recorded at a point in time for the three-months ended June 30, 2023, was $49 (2022 – $61) and the six-months ended June 30, 2023, was $79 (2022 - $180).

Pharmanovia:

On March 15, 2023, with the Company’s consent, Consilient Health (“CH”) entered into an assignment agreement with Pharmanovia to transfer the current licensing agreement for the commercialization of macimorelin in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom to Pharmanovia, as well as the current supply agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to provide the licensed product (together, the “Assignment Agreement”). Also on March 15, 2023, the Company and Pharmanovia entered into an amendment agreement, pursuant to which the Company provided its acknowledgement and consent to the Assignment Agreement and agreed to certain amended terms which do not materially differ from the previous license and supply agreement with CH. Subsequent to the execution of the Assignment Agreement, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the Company’s unsatisfied performance obligations was $1,658 (€1,540), comprised of; the combined adult indication performance obligation of $1,233 (€1,145), and the combined pediatric indication performance obligation of $425 (€395). The Company will continue to recognize revenue over time using an output method based on units of licensed product supplied to Pharmanovia. The total units that the Company expects to supply to Pharmanovia is an estimate, based on current projections and anticipated market demand, and therefore will be a significant judgement that will be relied upon when using the outputs method to recognize revenue.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

Novo Nordisk Health Care AG:

On August 26, 2022, Novo provided the Company with a notice of termination of the Novo Amendment. Under the terms of the Novo Amendment, the termination was effective May 23, 2023, upon the completion of a 270-day notice period (“notice period”). Upon termination, the rights and licenses granted by the Company to Novo under the Novo Amendment returned to the Company, and the Company regained full rights to continue the clinical development and future commercialization of Macrilen™. Following the notice of termination and throughout the 270-day notice period, as per the terms of the Novo Amendment, Novo continued to fund DETECT-trial costs up to $10.1 million (€9.4 million). As of May 23, 2023, the Company recognized all remaining license fees associated with the Pediatric indication and development services revenue previously recorded in deferred revenue.

Liabilities related to contracts with customers

The following table provides a summary of deferred revenue balances:

Summary of deferred revenue

	June 30, 2023
	Current		Non-current		Total
	$		$		$
Novo Nordisk Health Care		-		-		-
Pharmanovia		193		1,459		1,652
NK Meditech		9		121		130
		202		1,580		1,782

	December 31, 2022
	Current		Non-current		Total
	$		$		$
Novo Nordisk Health Care		2,914		-		2,914
Consilient Health		35		1,556		1,591
NK Meditech		-		128		128
		2,949		1,684		4,633

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

4. Employee future benefits

The change in the Company’s employee future benefit obligations is summarized as follows:

	benefit plans			benefit plans		Total			Total
	Six months ended June 30, 2023								Year ended December 31, 2022
	Pension			Other
	benefit plans			benefit plans		Total			Total
	$			$		$			$
Change in plan liabilities
Balances – Beginning of the period		21,657			93		21,750			29,412
Current service cost		63			6		69			142
Interest cost		400			2		402			295
Actuarial loss (gain) from changes in financial assumptions		143			-		143			(5,915	)
Benefits paid		(380	)		-		(380	)		(752	)
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes		261			1		262			(1,432	)
Balances – End of the period		22,144			102		22,246			21,750

Change in plan assets
Balances – Beginning of the period		10,591			-		10,591			11,927
Interest income from plan assets		198			-		198			120
Employer contributions		14			-		14			45
Employee contributions		8			-		8			10
Benefits paid		(136	)		-		(136	)		(247	)
Remeasurement of plan assets		63			-		63			(641	)
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes		127			-		127			(623	)
Balances – End of the period		10,865			-		10,865			10,591

Net liability of the unfunded plans		10,867			102		10,969			10,787
Net liability of the funded plans		412			-		412			372
Net amount recognized as Employee future benefits		11,279			102		11,381			11,159

Amounts recognized:
In net loss		257			8		265			295
Actuarial (loss) gain on defined benefit plans in other comprehensive (loss) income		(80	)		-		(80	)		5,262

The calculation of the employee future benefit obligation is sensitive to the discount rate assumption and other assumptions such as the rate of the pension benefit increase. Discount rates were 3.70% as of June 30, 2023, and 3.75% as of December 31, 2022, causing the variances in the actuarial loss (gain) on defined benefit plan during the six months ended June 30, 2023.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

5. Shareholders’ equity

Share capital

The Company has authorized an unlimited number of common shares (being voting and participating shares) with no par value, as well as an unlimited number of preferred, first and second ranking shares, issuable in series, with rights and privileges specific to each class, with no par value.

Summary of share capital

	Common shares		Amount
	#		$
Balance – December 31, 2022		4,855,876		293,410

		-		-
Balance – June 30, 2023		4,855,876		293,410

On July 15, 2022, the Company’s shareholders and board of directors approved an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation to effect a 1-for-25 share consolidation (reverse split) of the Company’s common shares. The Company’s outstanding stock options, DSUs and warrants were also adjusted to reflect the 1-for-25 share consolidation (reverse split) of the Company’s common shares. Accordingly, all common shares, DSU, warrants, stock options and per share amounts in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to give effect to the share consolidation (reverse split). Outstanding warrant and stock options were proportionately reduced and the respective exercise prices, if applicable, were proportionately increased. The share consolidation (reverse split) was affected on July 21, 2022.

Share-based compensation

On January 17, 2023, the Company granted 14,000 (2022 – 2,000) stock options under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The stock options have a term of seven years and will vest over a period of three years. The fair value at grant date is estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, considering the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted, using the following assumptions:

	June 30, 2023			June 30, 2022
Expected dividend yield	$	0.00		$	0.00
Expected volatility		104.46	%		115.75	%
Risk-free annual interest rate		3.56	%		1.59	%
Expected life (years)		5.45			5.72
Share price	$	3.75		$	8.88
Exercise price	$	3.75		$	8.88
Grant date fair value	$	2.99		$	7.47

The expected volatility of these stock options was determined using historical volatility rates and the expected life was determined using the weighted average life of past options issued.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

The compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023, was $22 (2022 – $33) and the six months ended June 30, 2023, was $39 (2022 – $60) recognized over the vesting period. Option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022, was as follows:

	Stock options		Weighted average exercise price
	#		$
Balance – January 1, 2023		42,030		20.05
Granted		14,000		3.75
Cancelled / Forfeited		-		-
Balance – June 30, 2023		56,030		15.98

	Stock options			Weighted average exercise price
	#			$
Balance – January 1, 2022		43,455			22.00
Granted		2,000			8.88
Cancelled / Forfeited		(2,399	)		10.98
Balance – June 30, 2022		43,056			21.95

Deferred share units

On June 14, 2023, the Company granted 100,000 (2022 – nil) DSUs under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The compensation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, was $284 (2022 - $nil) and is presented in selling, general and administrative expenses. DSU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2023, are:

Summary of DSU activity

	2023		2022
	#		#
Balance – January 1,		96,920		16,920
Granted		100,000		-
Balance – June 30,		196,920		16,920

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

6. Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

	2023			2022			2023			2022
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
	$			$			$			$
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade and other receivables		199			(255	)		402			220
Inventory		135			-			140			(206	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(748	)		(1,471	)		(122	)		(759	)
Payables and accrued liabilities		(398	)		(40	)		(163	)		119
Deferred revenues		(1,205	)		1,001			(1,359	)		1,008
Provision for restructuring and other costs		4			-			(5	)		-
Employee future benefits		(109	)		(97	)		(254	)		(118	)
		(2,122	)		(862	)		(1,361	)		264

7. Net loss per share

The following table sets forth pertinent data relating to the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders.

	2023			2022			2023			2022
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
	$			$			$			$
Net loss		(2,518	)		(4,216	)		(6,772	)		(6,856	)
Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876

Basic and diluted loss per share		(0.52	)		(0.87	)		(1.39	)		(1.41	)
Basic loss per share		(0.52	)		(0.87	)		(1.39	)		(1.41	)

Items excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect:
Stock options and DSUs		252,950			62,375			252,950			62,375
Warrants		457,648			457,648			457,648			457,648
Anti-dilutive shares

8. Segment information

The Company operates in a single operating segment, being the biopharmaceutical segment.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

9. Commitments

Significant expenditure contracted for at the end of the reporting period but not recognized as liabilities is as follows:

	TOTAL
	$
Less than 1 year		7,586
1 - 3 years		151
4 - 5 years		37
More than 5 years		-
Total		7,774

In 2021, the Company executed various agreements including in-licensing and similar arrangements with development partners. Such agreements may require the Company to make payments on achievement of stages of development, launch or revenue milestones, although the Company generally has the right to terminate these agreements at no penalty. The Company may have to pay up to $38,887 upon achieving certain sales volumes, regulatory or other milestones related to specific products.

Exhibit 99.2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) provides a review of the results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of Aeterna Zentaris Inc. for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023. In this MD&A, “Aeterna Zentaris”, “Aeterna”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Aeterna Zentaris Inc. and its subsidiaries. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the Company’s unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto as of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Our unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements, including IAS 34 interim financial reporting.

The Company’s common shares are listed on both The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “AEZS”. All amounts in this MD&A are presented in thousands of United States (“U.S.”) dollars, except for share and per share data, or as otherwise noted. This MD&A was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) on August 8, 2023. This MD&A is dated August 8, 2023.

About Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. and Canadian securities legislation and regulations, and such statements are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provision of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “forecast”, “may”, “will”, “expect”, anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “indicate”, “believe”, “direct”, or “likely”, or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections and other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of the Company as of the date of this MD&A, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors described under Item 3, D. – “Risk factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and those relating to: Aeterna’s expectations with respect to the DETECT-trial (as defined below) (including regarding the enrollment of subjects in the DETECT-trial, the application of the macimorelin growth hormone stimulation tests and the completion of the DETECT-trial); Aeterna’s expectations regarding conducting pre-clinical research to identify and characterize an AIM Biologicals-based development candidate for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (“NMOSD”), as well as Parkinson’s disease (“PD”), and developing a manufacturing process for selected candidates; Aeterna’s expectations regarding conducting assessments in relevant PD models; the University of Queensland’s undertaking a subsequent investigator initiated clinical trial evaluating macimorelin as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and Aeterna’s formulating a pre-clinical development plan for same; the commencement of Aeterna’s formal pre-clinical development of AEZS-150 (as a potential therapeutic in chronic hypoparathyroidism as defined below) in preparation for a potential investigational new drug (“IND”) filing for conducting the first in-human clinical study of AEZS-150; and the impacts associated with the termination of the license agreement with Novo Nordisk Healthcare AG (“Novo Nordisk” or “Novo”), as discussed below.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements stated herein to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others: our reliance on the success of the pediatric clinical trial in the European Union and U.S. for Macrilen^®(macimorelin); potential delays associated with the completion of the DETECT-trial; we may be unable to enroll the expected number of subjects in the DETECT-trial, and the result of the DETECT-trial may not support receipt of regulatory approval in childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (“CGHD”); results from ongoing or planned pre-clinical studies of macimorelin by the University of Queensland or for our other products under development may not be successful or may not support advancing the product to human clinical trials; our ability to raise capital and obtain financing to continue our currently planned operations; our dependence on the success of Macrilen^® (macimorelin) and related out-licensing arrangements, including the continued availability of funds and resources to successfully commercialize the product; our ability to enter into additional out-licensing, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution agreements with other pharmaceutical companies and to keep such agreements in effect; and our ability to continue to list our common shares on the Nasdaq or the TSX. These risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the risk factors that could affect the Company. These factors and assumptions, however, should be considered carefully. More detailed information about these and other factors is included under Item 3, D. – “Risk factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of these factors, or to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

Certain forward-looking statements contained herein about prospective results of operations, financial position or cash flows may constitute a financial outlook. Such statements are based on assumptions about future events, are given as of the date hereof and are based on economic conditions, proposed courses of action and management’s assessment of currently available relevant information. The Company’s management has approved the financial outlook as of the date hereof. Readers are cautioned that such financial outlook information contained herein should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.

About Material Information

This MD&A includes information that we believe to be material to investors after considering all circumstances. We consider information and disclosures to be material if they result in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a significant change in the market price or value of our securities, or where it is likely that a reasonable investor would consider the information and disclosures to be important in making an investment decision.

We are a reporting issuer under the securities legislation of all of the provinces of Canada, and our securities are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We are therefore required to file or furnish continuous disclosure information, such as interim and annual financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, proxy or information circulars, annual reports on Form 20-F, material change reports and press releases with the appropriate securities regulatory authorities. Additional information about the Company and copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge upon request from our Corporate Secretary or on the Internet at the following addresses: www.zentaris.com, www.sedarplus.caand www.sec.gov.

Company Overview

The Company is also dedicated to the development of therapeutic assets and has established a pre-clinical development pipeline to potentially address unmet medical needs across a number of indications, with a focus on rare or orphan indications, including, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), chronic hypoparathyroidism and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Key Operational Developments

Macimorelin Commercialization Program

On March 15, 2023, with the Company’s consent, Consilient Health Limited (“CH”) entered into an assignment agreement with Atnahs Pharma UK Ltd. (Pharmanovia) to transfer the current licensing agreement for the commercialization of macimorelin in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom to Pharmanovia, as well as the current supply agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to provide the licensed product. Also on March 15, 2023, the Company and Pharmanovia entered into an amendment agreement, pursuant to which the Company provided its acknowledgement and consent to the Assignment Agreement and agreed to certain amended terms which do not materially differ from the previous license and supply agreement with CH. To date, we have received total pricing milestone payments from CH of $0.5 million (€0.5 million) relating to Ghryvelin™ approved list prices in the United Kingdom, German and Spain. We shipped initial batches of macimorelin (Ghryvelin™) to Consilient in the first quarter of 2022. Consilient launched the product meanwhile in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany and Austria. More EU countries will follow pending re-imbursement negotiations. On April 19, 2022, we announced that European Patent Office had issued a patent providing intellectual property protection of macimorelin in 27 countries within the European Union as well as additional European non-EU countries, such as the UK and Turkey, for macimorelin (Ghryvelin™; Macrilen®) for use to diagnose GHD in adults.

On May 9, 2023, the USPTO issued patent US11,644,474 to the Company protecting the use of macimorelin for the diagnosis of GHD in pediatrics.

Since November 2020, Novo marketed macimorelin under the tradename Macrilen^® through a license agreement and an amended license agreement (collectively the “Novo Amendment”) for the diagnosis of AGHD. On August 26, 2022, the Company announced that Novo had exercised its right to terminate the Novo Amendment. Following a 270-day notice period, Aeterna regained full rights to Macrilen^®in the U.S. and Canada on May 23, 2023, and the sales of Macrilen® are temporarily discontinued in the U.S. commercial market for the diagnosis of AGHD, until an anticipated re-launch with an alternate commercialization partner. The Company continues to actively strategize and seek alternate development and commercialization partners for Macrilen® in the U.S. and other territories. The decision to temporarily discontinue sales of Macrilen® in the United States does not have any impact on the sales and commercialization efforts in the UK and European Economic Area.

On June 25, 2020, we announced that we entered into an exclusive distribution and related quality agreement with MegaPharm Ltd., a leading Israel-based biopharmaceutical company, for the commercialization in Israel and in the Palestinian Authority of macimorelin, to be used in the diagnosis of patients with AGHD and in clinical development for the diagnosis of CGHD. Under the terms of the agreement, MegaPharm Ltd. will be responsible for obtaining registration to market macimorelin in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, while the Company will be responsible for manufacturing, product supply, quality assurance and control, regulatory support, and maintenance of the relevant intellectual property. In June 2021, MegaPharm Ltd. filed an application to the Ministry of Health of Israel for regulatory approval of macimorelin in Israel, which was approved in November 2022.

We entered into license and supply agreements with NK Meditech Ltd. (“NK”), a subsidiary of PharmBio Korea, effective November 30, 2021, and a distribution and commercialization agreement with ER Kim Pharmaceuticals Bulgaria Eood (“ER-Kim”), effective February 1, 2022. The agreements with NK are related to the development and commercialization of macimorelin for the diagnosis of AGHD and CGHD in the Republic of Korea, while the agreement with ER-Kim is related to the commercialization of macimorelin for the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in children and adults in Turkey and some non-European Union Balkan countries.

Macimorelin Clinical Program

On January 28, 2020, we announced the successful completion of patient recruitment for the first pediatric study of macimorelin as a growth hormone stimulation test for the evaluation of GHD in children. This study, AEZS-130-P01 (“Study P01”), was the first of two studies as agreed with the EMA in our Pediatric Investigation Plan (the “PIP”) for macimorelin as a GHD diagnostic. Macimorelin, a ghrelin agonist, is an orally active small molecule that stimulates the secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland into the circulatory system. The goal of Study P01 was to establish a dose that can both be safely administered to pediatric patients and cause a clear rise in growth hormone concentration in subjects ultimately diagnosed as not having GHD. The recommended dose derived from Study P01 is being evaluated in the pivotal second study, Study P02, on diagnostic efficacy and safety (the “DETECT-trial”). Study P01 was an international, multicenter study, which was conducted in Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus and Russia. Study P01 was an open label, group comparison, dose escalation trial designed to investigate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (“PK/PD”) of macimorelin acetate after ascending single oral doses of macimorelin at 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 milligram per kilogram body weight in pediatric patients from 2 to less than 18 years of age with suspected CGHD. We enrolled a total of 24 pediatric patients across the three cohorts of the study. Per study protocol, all enrolled patients completed four study visits after successful completion of the screening period. At Visit 1 and Visit 3, a provocative growth hormone stimulation test was conducted according to the study sites’ local practices. At Visit 2, the macimorelin test was performed, and following the oral administration of the macimorelin solution, blood samples were taken at predefined times for PK/PD assessment. Visit 4 was a safety follow-up visit at study end.

The final study results from Study P01 were published in the second quarter of 2020 indicating positive safety and tolerability data for use of macimorelin in CGHD, as well as PK/PD data observed in a range as expected from the adult studies.

On April 7, 2020, we announced the decision of the EMA to accept our modification request of our PIP as originally approved in March 2017, which covered the conduct of two pediatric studies and defined relevant key elements in the outline of these studies. We believe this EMA decision supports the development of one globally harmonized study protocol for test validation, specifically Study P02, which we expect to be accepted both in Europe and the U.S.

In late 2020, we entered into the start-up phase for the clinical safety and efficacy study, AEZS-130-P02 (“DETECT-trial”), evaluating macimorelin for the diagnosis of CGHD. The DETECT-trial is an open-label, single dose, multicenter and multinational study expected to enroll approximately 100 subjects worldwide (incl. sites in U.S: and EU), with at least 40 pre-pubertal and 40 pubertal subjects. The study design is expected to be suitable to support a claim for potential stand-alone testing, if successful. On April 22, 2021, the U.S. FDA Investigational New Drug Application associated with this clinical trial became active, (see: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04786873), and on May 13, 2021, we announced the opening of the first clinical site in the U.S. Under the Novo Amendment, and following Novo’s notice to terminate the Novo Amendment, Novo will fund DETECT-trial costs up to $10.1 million (€9.4 million). Any additional trial costs incurred over $10.1 million (€9.4 million) will be paid by Aeterna.

On January 26, 2022, we announced that the DETECT-trial had experienced unavoidable delays in site initiation and patient enrollment due to the rise of the Omicron variant in the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, in February 2022, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the clinical trial activities planned in both Russia and Ukraine were halted and consequently, no patients have been enrolled in either of these countries’ clinical sites to date. On January 17, 2023, we provided a business update, highlighting that bolstered enrollment was expected by the engagement of an additional Clinical Research Organization (CRO) and the replacement of inactive countries and sites with three new countries (Armenia, Slovakia, and Turkey) as well as additional sites in the U.S. In March 2023, we received approval for and activated our first site in Slovakia and expect the approval and activation of sites in Armenia and Turkey to follow in Q3, 2023. We expect enrollment in our DETECT-trial to be completed by the end of 2023.

Pipeline Expansion Opportunities

AIM Biologicals: Targeted, highly specific autoimmunity modifying therapeutics for the potential treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and Parkinson’s disease

AIM Biologicals is based on a natural process during pregnancy, which induces immunogenic tolerance of the maternal immune system to the partially foreign fetal antigens. Fetal proteins are processed and presented on certain immunosuppressive major histocompatibility complex class I molecules to induce this tolerance. In an autoimmune disease the immune system is misdirected and targets the body’s own protein. With AIM Biologicals, we aim to restore the tolerance against such proteins to treat autoimmune diseases. Our AIM Biologics program is focused on the rare and orphan indication NMOSD and the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson’s disease.

In January 2021, we entered into an exclusive patent license and research agreement with the University of Wuerzburg, Germany, for worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize AIM Biologicals for the potential treatment of NMOSD. Additionally, we have engaged Prof. Dr. Joerg Wischhusen from the University Hospital in Wuerzburg as well as neuro-immunologist Dr. Michael Levy from the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston as consultants for scientific support and advice in the field of inflammatory central nervous system “CNS” disorders, autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, and NMOSD. In September 2021, we entered into an additional exclusive license with the University of Wuerzburg for early pre-clinical development towards the potential treatment of Parkinson’s disease. On May 12, 2022 we announced positive pre-clinical results in an innovative mouse model of Parkinson’s disease, where treatment with α-Synuclein specific AIM Biologicals showed a trend towards improved motoric function, as well as significant induction of regulatory T cells and rescue of substantia nigra neurons. The data were presented at IMMUNOLOGY2022™, the annual event of the American Association of Immunologists, held on May 6-10, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. On June 13, 2022, we announced that we had achieved proof-of-concept for the treatment of NMOSD in both in-vitro and in mouse models. These findings were presented at the 13th International Congress on Autoimmunity on June 10-13, 2022, in Athens, Greece. In October 2022, we entered into a research and development agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston and Dr. Michael Levy, to conduct pre-clinical ex-vivo and in-vivo studies in NMOSD.

NMOSD is an autoimmune disease targeting the protein aquaporin 4, primarily found in optic nerves and the spinal cord. The disease leading to blindness and paralysis has a prevalence of 0.7-10 in 100,000, more common in persons with Asian or African compared to European ancestors, and nine times more prevalent among women compared to men. NMOSD progresses in often life-threatening relapses, which are aggressively treated with high-dose steroids and plasmapheresis. Current treatment options include treatment with immunosuppressive monoclonal antibodies, which carries risk of serious infections. Our pre-clinical plans include expanding the already available proof-of-concept data for the treatment of NMOSD in both in-vitro and in-vivo assessments to select an AIM Biologicals-based development candidate; and manufacturing process development for the selected candidate.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease commonly associated with motoric problems with a slow and fast progression form. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease affecting 10 million people worldwide. The hallmark of PD is the neuronal inclusion of mainly α-synuclein protein (αSyn) associated with the death of dopamine-producing cells. Dopaminergic medication is the mainstay treatment of PD symptoms, but currently there is no pharmacological therapy to prevent or delay disease progression leading to alternate treatments, such as deep brain stimulation with short electric bursts, being investigated for the treatment of symptoms. For the development of AIM Biologicals as potential PD therapeutics, Aeterna plans utilizes, among others, an innovative animal model on neurodegeneration by α-synuclein-specific T cells in AAV-A53T-α-synuclein Parkinson’s disease mice, which has recently been published by University of Wuerzburg researchers. We are continuing in-vitro and in-vivo testing of antigen-specific AIM Biologics candidate molecules for the potential treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

AEZS-150 - Delayed Clearance (“DC”) Parathyroid Hormone (“PTH”) (“DC-PTH”) Fusion Polypeptides: Potential treatment for chronic hypoparathyroidism

On March 11, 2021, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, for the intellectual property relating to PTH fusion polypeptides covering the field of human use, which will initially be studied by Aeterna for the potential therapeutic treatment of chronic hypoparathyroidism (“HypoPT”). Under the terms of the exclusive patent and know-how license agreement entered into with the University of Sheffield, we obtained worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize PTH fusion polypeptides covered by the licensed patent applications for all human uses for an up-front cash payment, and milestone payments to be paid upon the achievement of certain development, regulatory and sales milestones, as well as low single digit royalty payments on net sales of those products and certain fees payable in connection with sublicensing. We will be responsible for the further development, manufacturing, approval, and commercialization of the licensed products. We also engaged the University of Sheffield under a research contract to conduct certain research activities to be funded by Aeterna, the results of which will be included within the scope of the license granted to Aeterna.

The researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a method to increase the serum clearance time of peptides, which the Company is applying to the development of a treatment for HypoPT. HypoPT is an orphan disease where the PTH level is abnormally low or absent, with a prevalence per 100,000 of 37 in the U.S., 22 in Denmark, 9.4 in Norway, and 5.3 to 27 in Italy. Standard treatment is calcium and vitamin D supplementation. In consultation with The University of Sheffield, Aeterna has selected AEZS-150 as the lead candidate in its DC-PTH program. AEZS-150 is being developed to provide a weekly treatment option of chronic hypoparathyroidism in adults. Recent progress includes the successful verification and reproduction of previous in-vivo data from the University of Sheffield, in a rat model of hypoparathyroidism, as well as ongoing development of the manufacturing process for AEZS-150 with the Company’s contract development and manufacturing organization, establishment of a master cell bank for a cell line expressing AEZS-150 and the development of a production process suitable for larger scale good manufacturing practices. Our next steps include working with The University of Sheffield to continue with in depth characterization of development candidate (in-vitro and in-vivo); meeting with regulatory authorities to formalize the pre-clinical development of AEZS-150 in preparation for a potential IND filing for conducting the first in-human clinical study.

AEZS-130 - Macimorelin Pre-clinical Program

On January 13, 2021, we entered into a material transfer agreement with Queensland University to provide macimorelin for the conduct of preclinical and clinical studies evaluating macimorelin as a therapeutic for the treatment of ALS. ALS is a rare progressive neurological disease primarily affecting the neurons controlling voluntary movement, leading to the disability to control movements such as walking, talking, and chewing. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually between 3-5 years after diagnosis. Currently there is no cure for ALS and no effective treatment to halt or reverse the progression of the disease. Ghrelin is a hormone with wide-ranging biological actions, most known for stimulating growth hormone release, which is demonstrating emerging evidence as therapeutic for ALS. As a ghrelin agonist, macimorelin has the potential as a treatment for ALS, which is evaluated in this research collaboration.

The University of Queensland researchers have filed for supportive grants to conduct such clinical studies. In July 2022, we entered a research and option to license agreement with UniQuest Pty Ltd., the commercialization company of The University of Queensland (UQ), Brisbane, Australia, to advance the development of macimorelin as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of ALS. We have developed an alternative formulation suitable for use in ALS patients and are accumulating data for positive effects of AEZS-130 treatment on survival of motor-neurons. We are continuing to evaluate AEZS-130 in transgenic mouse ALS models as well as in human patient-derived neuron cultures to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of macimorelin in this indication. Our next steps include completion of the ongoing toxicology and safety studies to support treatment over prolonged periods and following potential achievement of proof-of-concept, scientific advice with regulatory authorities to discuss program development to support first in human studies.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss Data

	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
	$			$			$			$
Revenues		2,246			(222	)		4,374			1,295

Expenses
Cost of sales		139			13			156			92
Research and development		2,929			2,398			6,941			4,788
Selling, general and administrative		2,033			2,083			4,339			3,944
Total expenses		5,101			4,494			11,436			8,824

Loss from operations		(2,855	)		(4,716	)		(7,062	)		(7,529	)

Gain (loss) due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates		27			502			(32	)		676
Interest income		307			-			320			-
Other finance income (costs)		3			(2	)		2			(3	)
Net finance income		337			500			290			673

Loss before income taxes		(2,518	)		(4,216	)		(6,772	)		(6,856	)

Income tax recovery		-			-			-			-
Net loss		(2,518	)		(4,216	)		(6,772	)		(6,856	)

Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		3			42			(167	)		79
Actuarial gain on defined benefit plans		83			5,276			(80	)		8,025
Comprehensive (loss) income		(2,432	)		1,102			(7,019	)		1,248

Basic and diluted loss per share		(0.52	)		(0.87	)		(1.39	)		(1.41	)

Summarized Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Data

(in thousands)	June 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
	$		$
Cash and cash equivalents		42,186		50,611
Trade and other receivables and other current assets		3,614		4,648
Inventory		93		229
Restricted cash equivalents		325		322
Property and equipment		265		216
Total assets		46,483		56,026
Payables and accrued liabilities and income taxes payable		3,681		3,936
Current portion of provisions		49		45
Current portion of deferred revenues		202		2,949
Lease liabilities		145		114
Non-financial non-current liabilities ⁽¹⁾		13,327		13,206
Total liabilities		17,404		20,250
Shareholders’ equity		29,079		35,776
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		46,483		56,026

(1)	Comprised mainly of employee future benefits, provisions and non-current portion of deferred revenues.

Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Judgments

The preparation of condensed interim consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the Company’s assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Judgments, estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, expectations, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time at which the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements are prepared.

Management reviews, on a regular basis, the Company’s accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments in order to ensure that the consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with IFRS applicable to interim financial statements. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions, as well as critical judgments used in applying accounting policies in the preparation of the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements, were the same as those applied to the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Financial Risk Factors and Other Financial Instruments

The nature and extent of our exposure to risks arising from financial instruments, including credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk and how we manage those risks are described in note 24 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. There were no significant changes in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2023, as compared to the December 31, 2022, disclosures.

Revenues

We generate revenue from license and collaboration agreements with customers (license fees, milestone revenue, royalties), the provision of development services, the sale of certain active pharmaceutical ingredients (“API”), semi-finished goods and finished goods, and from certain supply chain activities, which are comprised largely of oversight or supervisory support services related to stability studies or development activities carried out with respect to API batch production as specified in underlying contracts with customers.

(in thousands, except percentages)	Three month ended June 30,
	2023		2022			Change			Change
		$		$			$			%
Revenue
License fees		795		(206	)		1,001			486	%
Development services		1,402		(77	)		1,479			1,921	%
Royalties		7		24			(17	)		-71	%
Supply chain		42		37			5			14	%
Total revenue		2,246		(222	)		2,468			1,112	%

Our total revenue for the three-month period ended June 30, 2023, was $2.2 million as compared to ($0.2) million for the same period in 2022, representing an increase of $2.5 million. The increase is due to an increase in license fee revenue recognized of $1.0 million and development services revenue of $1.5 million relating to the Company’s amended agreement with Novo Nordisk Healthcare.

The negative revenue of $0.2 million for the three-month ended June 30, 2022, was driven by the reversal of revenue of $0.4 million in license fees and $0.8 million in development services in Q2, 2022 as a result of a change in management’s best estimate of additional costs associated to the DETECT-trial.

(in thousands, except percentages)	Six month ended June 30,
	2023		2022		Change			Change
		$		$		$			%
Revenue
License fees		1,554		226		1,328			588	%
Development services		2,741		889		1,852			208	%
Product sales		-		57		(57	)		-100	%
Royalties		26		43		(17	)		-40	%
Supply chain		53		80		(27	)		-34	%
Total revenue		4,374		1,295		3,079			238	%

Our total revenue for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023, was $4.4 million as compared to $1.3 million for the same period in 2022, representing an increase of $3.1 million. The increase is due to an increase in license fee revenue recognized of $1.3 million and development services revenue of $1.9 million relating to the Company’s amended agreement with Novo Nordisk Healthcare, offset by a $0.1 million decrease in product sales.

Research and development expenses

The following table summarizes our research and development expenses incurred during the periods indicated:

(in thousands, except percentages)	Three months ended June 30,
	2023			2022		Change			Change
		$			$		$			%
Direct research and development expenses:
Macimorelin pediatric DETECT-trial		1,154			651		503			77	%
AEZS-130 – Macimorelin ALS		550			419		131			31	%
AEZS-150 – DC-PTH		396			447		(51	)		-11	%
Aim Biologics - Parkinson’s Disease		168			161		7			4	%
Aim Biologics - NMOSD		213			115		98			85	%
Bacterial Vaccine Platform - Covid-19		(5	)		146		(151	)		-103	%
Bacterial Vaccine Platform - Chlamydia		3			107		(104	)		-97	%
Additional programs		56			11		45			409	%
Total direct research and development expenses		2,535			2,057		478			23	%
Employee-related expenses		311			294		17			6	%
Facilities, depreciation, and other expenses		83			47		36			77	%
Total research and development expenses		2,929			2,398		531			22	%

Research and development expenses increased by $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2022, primarily driven by a $0.5 million increase in direct research and development expenses. Direct research and development expenses include expenses incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as contract research organizations, contract manufacturers, and consultants. The $0.5 million increase in total direct research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2023, was primarily due to a $0.5 million increase in costs for the DETECT-trial. The Company has seen a significant increase in the number of testing sites opened and the recruitment of patients for the DETECT-trial leading to the increase in cost from the comparative period when the company was primarily focused on establishing testing sites for patient enrollment.

In addition to the DETECT-trial, the Company was actively working with its university research partners on the named pre-clinical programs. The fluctuation in spend on these programs from the prior year is primarily driven by the timing of various pre-clinical activities and the advancement of these projects, in particular the AEZS-150 and DC-PTH projects which were in licensed in 2021.

Lastly, the Company ceased its development of both the COVID-19 and Chlamydia vaccine trials in Q1, 2023, resulting in the decrease in spending on these two projects for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2022.

The following table summarizes our research and development expenses incurred during the periods indicated:

(in thousands, except percentages)	Six months ended June 30,
	2023		2022		Change			Change
		$		$		$			%
Direct research and development expenses:
Macimorelin pediatric DETECT-trial		2,245		1,547		698			45	%
AEZS-130 – Macimorelin ALS		1,644		696		948			136	%
AEZS-150 – DC-PTH		959		715		244			34	%
Aim Biologics - Parkinson’s Disease		358		350		8			2	%
Aim Biologics - NMOSD		459		204		255			125	%
Bacterial Vaccine Platform - Covid-19		113		194		(81	)		-42	%
Bacterial Vaccine Platform - Chlamydia		221		225		(4	)		-2	%
Additional programs		127		147		(20	)		-14	%
Total direct research and development expenses		6,126		4,078		2,048			50	%
Employee-related expenses		639		618		21			3	%
Facilities, depreciation, and other expenses		176		92		84			91	%
Total research and development expenses		6,941		4,788		2,153			45	%

Research and development expenses increased by $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022, primarily driven by a $2.0 million increase in direct research and development expenses. Direct research and development expenses include expenses incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as contract research organizations, contract manufacturers, and consultants. The $2.0 million increase in total direct research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was primarily due to a $0.7 million increase in costs for the DETECT-trial. The Company has seen a significant increase in the number of testing sites opened and the recruitment of patients for the DETECT-trial leading to the increase in cost from the previous year when the company was primarily focused on establishing testing sites for patient enrollment.

In addition to the DETECT-trial, the Company was actively working with its university research partners on the named pre-clinical programs. The increase in spend of $0.9 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 compared to the period ended June 30, 2022 for the AEZS-130, ALS program, relates to an increase in the companies pre-clinical activities, primarily the ongoing toxicology and safety studies. The fluctuation in spending on the DC-PTH and the two Aim Biologic projects from the prior year is primarily driven by the timing of various pre-clinical activities and the advancement of these projects.

Lastly, the Company ceased its development of both the COVID-19 and Chlamydia vaccine trials in Q1, 2023, resulting in the decrease in spending on these two projects for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

The following table summarizes our Selling, general and administrative expenses incurred during the periods indicated:

(in thousands, except percentages)	Three months ended June 30,
	2023		2022		Change			Change
		$		$		$			%
Selling, general and administrative expenses:
Salaries & benefits		1,002		455		547			120	%
Insurance		250		423		(173	)		-41	%
Professional fees		434		939		(505	)		-54	%
Other office & general expenses		347		266		81			30	%
Total selling, general and administrative expenses		2,033		2,083		(50	)		-2	%

Our total Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2023, were $2.0 million as compared to $2.1 million for the same period in 2022 representing a decrease of $0.1 million. This decrease arose primarily from a $0.5 million decline in Professional fees and a $0.2 million decline in insurance costs offset by a $0.5 million increase in salaries and benefits and a $0.1 million increase in other office & general expenses. The increase in salaries and benefits expense primarily relates to the timing of the issuance of deferred share units of $0.3 million to the Company’s Board of Directors, which were issued in June 2023 for the current year entitlement, compared with August 2022 for the entitlement in the prior year.

The following table summarizes our Selling, general and administrative expenses incurred during the periods indicated:

(in thousands, except percentages)	Six months ended June 30,
	2023		2022		Change			Change
		$		$		$			%
Selling, general and administrative expenses:
Salaries & benefits		1,761		1,038		723			70	%
Insurance		678		842		(164	)		-19	%
Professional fees		1,183		1,518		(335	)		-22	%
Other office & general expenses		717		546		171			31	%
Total selling, general and administrative expenses		4,339		3,944		395			10	%

Our total Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023, were $4.3 million as compared to $3.9 million for the same period in 2022 representing an increase of $0.4 million. The $0.7 million increase in salaries and benefits primarily relates to the timing of the issuance of deferred share units of $0.3 million to the Company’s Board of Directors, which were issued in June 2023 for the current year entitlement, compared with August 2022 for the entitlement in the prior year. The remaining increase is due to a $0.2 million increase in other office & general expenses offset by a $0.3 million decline in professional fees and a $0.2 million decline in insurance costs.

Net finance income

(in thousands, except percentages)	Three months ended June 30,
	2023		2022			Change			Change
		$		$			$			%
Gain (loss) due to changes in foreign currency rates		27		502			(475	)		-95	%
Interest income		307		-			307			100	%
Other finance income (costs)		3		(2	)		5			-250	%
Net finance income		337		500			(163	)		-33	%

For the three-month period ended June 30, 2023, our net finance cost was $0.3 million as compared to a net finance income of $0.5 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022. This is primarily due to a $0.5 million decrease in our gain (loss) due to changes in foreign currency offset by an increase in interest earned on bank deposits of $0.3 million.

(in thousands, except percentages)	Six months ended June 30,
	2023			2022			Change			Change
		$			$			$			%
Gain (loss) due to changes in foreign currency rates		(32	)		676			(708	)		-105	%
Interest income		320			-			320			100	%
Other finance income (costs)		2			(3	)		5			-167	%
Net finance income		290			673			(383	)		-57	%

Our net finance income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023, was $0.3 million as compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2022, representing a decrease of $0.4 million. This is primarily due to a $0.7 million decrease in gain (loss) due to changes in foreign currency offset by an increase in interest earned on bank deposits of $0.3 million.

Net loss

For the three-month period ended June 30, 2023, we reported a consolidated net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.52 loss per common share (basic), as compared with a consolidated net loss of $4.2 million, or $0.87 loss per common share (basic) for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022. The $1.7 million decrease in net loss is primarily due to a $2.5 million increase in revenue, offset by a $0.5 million increase in research and development expenses, a $0.1 million increase in cost of sales and a $0.2 million decrease in net finance income.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2023, we reported a consolidated net loss of $6.8 million, or $1.39 loss per common share (basic), as compared with a consolidated net loss of $6.9 million, or $1.41 loss per common share (basic) for the six-month period ended June 30, 2022. The $0.1 million decrease in net loss is primarily from a $3.1 million increase in revenue off-set by a $0.1 million increase in cost of sales, a $2.2 million in research and development expenses, a $0.4 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, and a $0.4 million decrease in net finance income.

Selected quarterly financial data

	Three months ended
(in thousands, except for per share data)	June 30, 2023			March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022			September 30, 2022
		$			$			$			$
Revenues		2,246			2,128			2,485			1,860
Net loss		(2,518	)		(4,255	)		(12,451	)		(3,420	)
Net loss per share (basic and diluted) ⁽¹⁾		(0.52	)		(0.88	)		(2.56	)		(0.70	)

	Three months ended
(in thousands, except for per share data)	June 30, 2022			March 31, 2022			December 31, 2021			September 30, 2021
		$			$			$			$
Revenues		(222	)		1,517			956			1,052
Net loss		(4,216	)		(2,640	)		(2,894	)		(1,932	)
Net loss per share (basic and diluted) ⁽¹⁾		(0.87	)		(0.54	)		(0.63	)		(0.40	)

(1)	Net loss per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each reporting period, which may differ on a quarter-to-quarter basis. As such, the sum of the quarterly net loss per share amounts may not equal full-year net loss per share.

Historical quarterly results of operations and net loss cannot be taken as reflective of recurring revenue or expenditure patterns of predictable trends, largely given the non-recurring nature of certain components of our historical revenues, the impact of costs associated with launching a number of significant preclinical research and development programs in 2021, and of foreign exchange gains and losses. In addition, we cannot predict what the revenues from royalties will be earned from licensing agreements.

The increase in net loss for the three-month period ended December 31, 2022, was due to the recording of an impairment charge on the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets for an amount of $7,642 and $372 respectively.

The decrease in revenue and increase in net loss for the three-month ended June 30, 2022 was driven by the reversal of revenue of $0.4 million in license fees and $0.8 million in development services which took place in Q2, 2022 as a result of a change in management’s best estimate of additional costs associated to the DETECT-trial.

Cash flows

The following table shows a summary of our consolidated cash flows for the periods indicated:

(in thousands)	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
		$			$			$			$
Cash and cash equivalents – Beginning of period		46,560			63,596			50,611			65,300
Net cash used in operating activities		(4,293	)		(4,850	)		(8,354	)		(6,311	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(42	)		(34	)		(80	)		(68	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(3	)		(42	)		(5	)		(48	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash & cash equivalents		(36	)		(513	)		14			(716	)
Cash and cash equivalents – End of period		42,186			58,157			42,186			58,157

Operating Activities

Cash used by operating activities totaled $4.3 million for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $4.9 million in the same periods in 2022. This $0.6 million decrease in the three-month periods ended June 30, 2023, in use of cash in operating activities is attributed primarily to increase in interest income combined with decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses offset by an increase in research and development expenses, as described above.

Cash used by operating activities totaled $8.4 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $6.3 million in the same periods in 2022. This $2.1 million increase in the six-months periods ended June 30, 2023, in use of cash in operating activities is attributed primarily to increased research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses offset by increases in revenue, as described above.

Liquidity and capital resources

The Company’s objective in managing capital, consisting of shareholders’ equity, with cash and cash equivalents being its primary components, is to ensure sufficient liquidity to fund research and development costs, selling expenses, general and administrative expenses and working capital requirements. Over the past several years, we have raised capital via public and private equity offerings and issuances and have entered licensing and collaborative arrangements, consideration from which, together with proceeds from equity issuances, has been our primary source of liquidity. The capital management objective of the Company remains the same as that in previous periods. The policy on dividends is to retain cash to keep funds available, to finance the activities required to advance the Company’s product development portfolio and to pursue appropriate commercial opportunities as they may arise. The Company is not subject to any capital requirements imposed by any regulators or by any other external source.

Adequacy of financial resources

Since inception, the Company has incurred significant expenses in its efforts to develop and co-promote products. Our current business focus is to: investigate further therapeutic uses of Macrilen™, expand pipeline development activities, further expand the commercialization of macimorelin in available territories and fund ongoing clinical trial costs. Consequently, the Company has incurred operating losses and has generated negative cash flow from operations and in each of the last several years except for the year ended December 31, 2018, when the Company earned revenue from the sale of a license for the adult indication of Macrilen™ in the U.S. and Canada. The Company expects to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future as it advances its product candidates through preclinical and clinical development, seeks regulatory approval, and pursues commercialization of any approved product candidates. We expect that our research and development costs will increase in connection with our planned research and development activities.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $358.9 million. The Company also had a net loss of $6.9 million and negative cash flows from operations of $8.4 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023. We believe that our existing cash on hand will be sufficient to fund our anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. We plan to finance our future operations and capital expenditures primarily through cash on hand. We also believe that our existing cash on hand will be sufficient to fund our anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements beyond the next 12 months and through 2025. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could exhaust our capital resources sooner than we expect. We may also require additional capital to pursue in-licenses or acquisitions of other product candidates.

Our forecast of the period through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations is a forward-looking statement that involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary materially as a result of a number of factors. Our future capital requirements are difficult to forecast and will depend on many factors, including:

	●	the terms and timing of any other collaboration, licensing, and other arrangements that we may establish;
	●	the initiation, progress, timing, and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials for our current and future potential product candidates;
	●	our alignment with the FDA on regulatory approval requirements;
	●	the number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue;
	●	the outcome, timing, and cost of regulatory approvals;
	●	delays that may be caused by changing regulatory requirements;
	●	the cost and timing of hiring new employees to support our continued growth;
	●	the ability to manage inflation, including rising interest rates and increased labor costs associated with attracting and retaining employees;
	●	the costs involved in filing and prosecuting patent applications and enforcing and defending patent claims;

	●	the costs of filing and prosecuting intellectual property rights and enforcing and defending any intellectual property-related claims;
	●	the costs of responding to and defending ourselves against complaints and potential litigation;
	●	the costs and timing of procuring clinical and commercial supplies for our product candidates; and
	●	the extent to which we acquire or in-license other product candidates and technologies.

Contractual obligations and commitments as of June 30, 2023

Significant expenditure contracted for at the end of the reporting period but not recognized as liabilities is as follows:

(in thousands)	TOTAL
		$
Less than 1 year		7,586
1 - 3 years		151
4 - 5 years		37
More than 5 years		-
		7,774

Contingencies

In the normal course of operations, the Company may become involved in various claims and legal proceedings related to, for example, contract terminations and employee-related and other matters.

Related Party Transactions and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than employment agreements and indemnification agreements with our management, there are no related party transactions.

As of June 30, 2023, we did not have any interests in special purpose entities or any other off-balance sheet arrangements.

Risk Factors and Uncertainties

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information included in this MD&A and in the related consolidated financial statements, investors are urged to carefully consider the risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, for a discussion of the various risks that may materially affect our business. The risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also materially harm our business, operating results and financial condition and could result in a complete loss of your investment.

Our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F was filed with the relevant Canadian and U.S. securities’ regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com and with the SEC at www.sec.gov. Investors are urged to consult the risk factors in these documents.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation are responsible for establishing and maintaining our disclosure controls and procedures. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under U.S. and Canadian securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objective and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. There have been no significant changes to our disclosure controls and procedures for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the disclosure controls and procedures.

Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Aeterna Zentaris; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of Company management; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Company assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There have been no significant changes to our internal controls over financial reporting for the three-month period ended June 30, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.

Exhibit 99.3

FORM 52-109F2

CERTIFICATION OF INTERIM FILINGS

FULL CERTIFICATE

I, Klaus Paulini, Chief Executive Officer, Aeterna Zentaris Inc., certify the following:

Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended June 30, 2023.

No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.

Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.

Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.

Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings

(a)

designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that

(i)

material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and

(ii)

information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and

(b)

designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP.

5.1

Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is Internal Control – Integrated Framework: 2013, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

5.2

N/A

5.3

N/A

Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2023 and ended on June 30, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.

Date: August 9, 2023

/s/ Klaus Paulini
Klaus Paulini
Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 99.4

FORM 52-109F2

CERTIFICATION OF INTERIM FILINGS

FULL CERTIFICATE

I, Giuliano La Fratta, Chief Financial Officer, Aeterna Zentaris Inc., certify the following:

1.	*Review:* I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended June 30, 2023.

2.	*No misrepresentations:* Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.

3.	*Fair presentation:* Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.

4.	*Responsibility:* The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.

5.	*Design:* Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings

(a)

designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that

	(i)	material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and

	(ii)	information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and

(b)

5.1	*Control framework:* The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is Internal Control – Integrated Framework: 2013, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

5.2

N/A

5.3

N/A

6.	*Reporting changes in ICFR:* The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2023 and ended on June 30, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.

Date: August 9, 2023

/s/ Giuliano La Fratta
Giuliano La Fratta
Chief Financial Officer

Cover	6 Months Ended
Cover	Jun. 30, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	6-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	001-38064
Entity Registrant Name	Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001113423
Entity Address, Address Line One	c/o Norton Rose Fulbright Canada, LLP
Entity Address, Address Line Two	222 Bay Street
Entity Address, Address Line Three	Suite 3000, PO Box 53,
Entity Address, City or Town	Toronto ON
Entity Address, Country	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	M5K 1E7

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 42,186	$ 50,611
Trade and other receivables	185	732
Inventory	93	229
Income taxes receivable	792	1,428
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,637	2,488
Total current assets	45,893	55,488
Non-current assets
Restricted cash equivalents	325	322
Property and equipment	265	216
Total non-current assets	591	538
Total assets	46,483	56,026
Current liabilities
Payables and accrued liabilities	3,572	3,828
Provisions	49	45
Income taxes payable	109	108
Deferred revenues (note 3)	202	2,949
Lease liabilities	145	114
Total current liabilities	4,077	7,044
Non-current liabilities
Deferred revenues (note 3)	1,580	1,684
Deferred gain	111	110
Lease liabilities	85	65
Employee future benefits (note 4)	11,381	11,159
Provisions	170	188
Total non-current liabilities	13,327	13,206
Total liabilities	17,404	20,250
Shareholders’ equity
Share capital (note 5)	293,410	293,410
Warrants	5,085	5,085
Contributed surplus	90,654	90,332
Deficit	(358,936)	(352,084)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,134)	(967)
Total Shareholders’ equity	29,079	35,776
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 46,483	$ 56,026

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Issued capital [member]	Warrants [member]	Other equity interest [member]	Retained earnings [member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income [member]	Total
Balance – Value at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 293,410	$ 5,085	$ 89,788	$ (334,619)	$ (678)	$ 52,986
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Net loss				(6,856)		(6,856)
Foreign currency translation adjustments					79	79
Actuarial gain on defined benefit plans				8,025		8,025
Comprehensive income (loss)				1,169	79	1,248
Share-based compensation costs			60			60
Balance – Value at Jun. 30, 2022	293,410	5,085	89,848	(333,450)	(599)	54,294
Balance – Value at Dec. 31, 2022	293,410	5,085	90,332	(352,084)	(967)	35,776
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Net loss				(6,772)		(6,772)
Foreign currency translation adjustments					(167)	(167)
Actuarial gain on defined benefit plans				(80)		(80)
Comprehensive income (loss)				(6,852)	(167)	(7,019)
Share-based compensation costs			322			322
Balance – Value at Jun. 30, 2023	$ 293,410	$ 5,085	$ 90,654	$ (358,936)	$ (1,134)	$ 29,079

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Profit or loss [abstract]
Revenues (note 3)	$ 2,246	$ (222)	$ 4,374	$ 1,295
Expenses
Cost of sales	139	13	156	92
Research and development	2,929	2,398	6,941	4,788
Selling, general and administrative	2,033	2,083	4,339	3,944
Total expenses	5,101	4,494	11,436	8,824
Loss from operations	(2,855)	(4,716)	(7,062)	(7,529)
Gain (loss) due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates	27	502	(32)	676
Interest income	307		320
Other finance income (costs)	3	(2)	2	(3)
Net finance income	337	500	290	673
Loss before income taxes	(2,518)	(4,216)	(6,772)	(6,856)
Income tax recovery
Net loss	(2,518)	(4,216)	(6,772)	(6,856)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3	42	(167)	79
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
Actuarial gain on defined benefit plans (note 4)	83	5,276	(80)	8,025
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ (2,432)	$ 1,102	$ (7,019)	$ 1,248
Basic loss per share (note 7)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.87)	$ (1.39)	$ (1.41)
Diluted loss per share (note 7)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.87)	$ (1.39)	$ (1.41)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic	4,855,876	4,855,876	4,855,876	4,855,876
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted	4,855,876	4,855,876	4,855,876	4,855,876

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss for the period	$ (2,518)	$ (4,216)	$ (6,772)	$ (6,856)
Items not affecting cash and cash equivalents:
Provisions	18	7	10	5
Depreciation and amortization	44	35	84	71
Share-based compensation costs	306	33	323	60
Employee future benefits	130	98	265	197
Amortization of deferred revenues	(794)	124	(1,554)	(704)
Net foreign exchange differences	(9)	(513)	(1)	(687)
Other non-cash items	5	495	5	509
Refund (payment) of income taxes	647	(51)	647	830
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (note 6)	(2,122)	(862)	(1,361)	264
Net cash used in operating activities	(4,293)	(4,850)	(8,354)	(6,311)
Cash flows from financing activities
Payments on lease liabilities	(42)	(34)	(80)	(68)
Net cash used in financing activities	(42)	(34)	(80)	(68)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(3)	(42)	(5)	(48)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3)	(42)	(5)	(48)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(36)	(513)	14	(716)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(4,374)	(5,439)	(8,425)	(7,143)
Cash and cash equivalents – Beginning of period	46,560	63,596	50,611	65,300
Cash and cash equivalents – End of period	$ 42,186	$ 58,157	$ 42,186	$ 58,157

Business overview

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Business Overview

Business overview

1. Business overview

Summary of business

These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) on August 8, 2023.

Basis of presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Basis Of Presentation

Basis of presentation

2. Basis of presentation

The accounting policies used in these condensed interim consolidated financial statements are consistent with those presented in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements.

New standards and amendments

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

Revenue

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Revenue [abstract]

Revenue

3. Revenue

The Company derives revenue from the transfer of goods and services over time and at a point in time in the following categories:

	2023		2022			2023		2022
	Three months ended					Six months ended
	June 30,					June 30,
	2023		2022			2023		2022
		$		$			$		$
License fees		795		(206	)		1,554		226
Development services		1,402		(77	)		2,741		889
Product sales		-		-			-		57
Royalties		7		24			26		43
Supply chain		42		37			53		80
Total		2,246		(222	)		4,374		1,295

Pharmanovia:

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

Novo Nordisk Health Care AG:

Liabilities related to contracts with customers

The following table provides a summary of deferred revenue balances:

Summary of deferred revenue

	June 30, 2023
	Current		Non-current		Total
	$		$		$
Novo Nordisk Health Care		-		-		-
Pharmanovia		193		1,459		1,652
NK Meditech		9		121		130
		202		1,580		1,782

	December 31, 2022
	Current		Non-current		Total
	$		$		$
Novo Nordisk Health Care		2,914		-		2,914
Consilient Health		35		1,556		1,591
NK Meditech		-		128		128
		2,949		1,684		4,633

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

Employee future benefits

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Employee Future Benefits

Employee future benefits

4. Employee future benefits

The change in the Company’s employee future benefit obligations is summarized as follows:

	benefit plans			benefit plans		Total			Total
	Six months ended June 30, 2023								Year ended December 31, 2022
	Pension			Other
	benefit plans			benefit plans		Total			Total
	$			$		$			$
Change in plan liabilities
Balances – Beginning of the period		21,657			93		21,750			29,412
Current service cost		63			6		69			142
Interest cost		400			2		402			295
Actuarial loss (gain) from changes in financial assumptions		143			-		143			(5,915	)
Benefits paid		(380	)		-		(380	)		(752	)
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes		261			1		262			(1,432	)
Balances – End of the period		22,144			102		22,246			21,750

Change in plan assets
Balances – Beginning of the period		10,591			-		10,591			11,927
Interest income from plan assets		198			-		198			120
Employer contributions		14			-		14			45
Employee contributions		8			-		8			10
Benefits paid		(136	)		-		(136	)		(247	)
Remeasurement of plan assets		63			-		63			(641	)
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes		127			-		127			(623	)
Balances – End of the period		10,865			-		10,865			10,591

Net liability of the unfunded plans		10,867			102		10,969			10,787
Net liability of the funded plans		412			-		412			372
Net amount recognized as Employee future benefits		11,279			102		11,381			11,159

Amounts recognized:
In net loss		257			8		265			295
Actuarial (loss) gain on defined benefit plans in other comprehensive (loss) income		(80	)		-		(80	)		5,262

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

Shareholders’ equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Shareholders Equity

Shareholders’ equity

5. Shareholders’ equity

Share capital

Summary of share capital

	Common shares		Amount
	#		$
Balance – December 31, 2022		4,855,876		293,410

		-		-
Balance – June 30, 2023		4,855,876		293,410

Share-based compensation

	June 30, 2023			June 30, 2022
Expected dividend yield	$	0.00		$	0.00
Expected volatility		104.46	%		115.75	%
Risk-free annual interest rate		3.56	%		1.59	%
Expected life (years)		5.45			5.72
Share price	$	3.75		$	8.88
Exercise price	$	3.75		$	8.88
Grant date fair value	$	2.99		$	7.47

The expected volatility of these stock options was determined using historical volatility rates and the expected life was determined using the weighted average life of past options issued.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

	Stock options		Weighted average exercise price
	#		$
Balance – January 1, 2023		42,030		20.05
Granted		14,000		3.75
Cancelled / Forfeited		-		-
Balance – June 30, 2023		56,030		15.98

	Stock options			Weighted average exercise price
	#			$
Balance – January 1, 2022		43,455			22.00
Granted		2,000			8.88
Cancelled / Forfeited		(2,399	)		10.98
Balance – June 30, 2022		43,056			21.95

Deferred share units

Summary of DSU activity

	2023		2022
	#		#
Balance – January 1,		96,920		16,920
Granted		100,000		-
Balance – June 30,		196,920		16,920

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Supplemental Disclosure Of Cash Flow Information

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

6. Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

	2023			2022			2023			2022
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
	$			$			$			$
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade and other receivables		199			(255	)		402			220
Inventory		135			-			140			(206	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(748	)		(1,471	)		(122	)		(759	)
Payables and accrued liabilities		(398	)		(40	)		(163	)		119
Deferred revenues		(1,205	)		1,001			(1,359	)		1,008
Provision for restructuring and other costs		4			-			(5	)		-
Employee future benefits		(109	)		(97	)		(254	)		(118	)
		(2,122	)		(862	)		(1,361	)		264

Net loss per share

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per share

7. Net loss per share

The following table sets forth pertinent data relating to the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders.

	2023			2022			2023			2022
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
	$			$			$			$
Net loss		(2,518	)		(4,216	)		(6,772	)		(6,856	)
Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876

Basic and diluted loss per share		(0.52	)		(0.87	)		(1.39	)		(1.41	)
Basic loss per share		(0.52	)		(0.87	)		(1.39	)		(1.41	)

Items excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect:
Stock options and DSUs		252,950			62,375			252,950			62,375
Warrants		457,648			457,648			457,648			457,648
Anti-dilutive shares

Segment information

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Segment Information

Segment information

8. Segment information

The Company operates in a single operating segment, being the biopharmaceutical segment.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022

(In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted)

(Unaudited)

Commitments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Commitments

Commitments

9. Commitments

Significant expenditure contracted for at the end of the reporting period but not recognized as liabilities is as follows:

	TOTAL
	$
Less than 1 year		7,586
1 - 3 years		151
4 - 5 years		37
More than 5 years		-
Total		7,774

Basis of presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Basis of presentation (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2023
Basis Of Presentation
New standards and amendments	*New standards and amendments* Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the Disclosure of Accounting Policies (amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2). The amendments to IAS 1 require that the Company discloses its material accounting policies instead of its significant accounting policies. As a result of the adoption of these amendments, there were no adjustments to the presentation or amounts recognized in the interim financial statements.
Critical accounting estimates and judgements	*Critical accounting estimates and judgements* The preparation of condensed interim consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the Company’s assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Judgements, estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, expectations, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time at which the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements are prepared. Aeterna Zentaris Inc. Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements As of June 30, 2023, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022 (In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data and as otherwise noted) (Unaudited) Management reviews, on a regular basis, the Company’s accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgements in order to ensure that the condensed interim consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with IFRS applicable to interim financial statements. Critical accounting estimates and assumptions, as well as critical judgements used in applying accounting policies in the preparation of the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements, were the same as those applied to the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Revenue (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Revenue [abstract]

Summary of revenue from transfer of goods and services

The Company derives revenue from the transfer of goods and services over time and at a point in time in the following categories:

	2023		2022			2023		2022
	Three months ended					Six months ended
	June 30,					June 30,
	2023		2022			2023		2022
		$		$			$		$
License fees		795		(206	)		1,554		226
Development services		1,402		(77	)		2,741		889
Product sales		-		-			-		57
Royalties		7		24			26		43
Supply chain		42		37			53		80
Total		2,246		(222	)		4,374		1,295

Summary of deferred revenue

The following table provides a summary of deferred revenue balances:

Summary of deferred revenue

	June 30, 2023
	Current		Non-current		Total
	$		$		$
Novo Nordisk Health Care		-		-		-
Pharmanovia		193		1,459		1,652
NK Meditech		9		121		130
		202		1,580		1,782

	December 31, 2022
	Current		Non-current		Total
	$		$		$
Novo Nordisk Health Care		2,914		-		2,914
Consilient Health		35		1,556		1,591
NK Meditech		-		128		128
		2,949		1,684		4,633

Employee future benefits (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Employee Future Benefits

Summary of net defined benefit liability asset

The change in the Company’s employee future benefit obligations is summarized as follows:

	benefit plans			benefit plans		Total			Total
	Six months ended June 30, 2023								Year ended December 31, 2022
	Pension			Other
	benefit plans			benefit plans		Total			Total
	$			$		$			$
Change in plan liabilities
Balances – Beginning of the period		21,657			93		21,750			29,412
Current service cost		63			6		69			142
Interest cost		400			2		402			295
Actuarial loss (gain) from changes in financial assumptions		143			-		143			(5,915	)
Benefits paid		(380	)		-		(380	)		(752	)
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes		261			1		262			(1,432	)
Balances – End of the period		22,144			102		22,246			21,750

Change in plan assets
Balances – Beginning of the period		10,591			-		10,591			11,927
Interest income from plan assets		198			-		198			120
Employer contributions		14			-		14			45
Employee contributions		8			-		8			10
Benefits paid		(136	)		-		(136	)		(247	)
Remeasurement of plan assets		63			-		63			(641	)
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes		127			-		127			(623	)
Balances – End of the period		10,865			-		10,865			10,591

Net liability of the unfunded plans		10,867			102		10,969			10,787
Net liability of the funded plans		412			-		412			372
Net amount recognized as Employee future benefits		11,279			102		11,381			11,159

Amounts recognized:
In net loss		257			8		265			295
Actuarial (loss) gain on defined benefit plans in other comprehensive (loss) income		(80	)		-		(80	)		5,262

Shareholders’ equity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Shareholders Equity

Summary of share capital

	Common shares		Amount
	#		$
Balance – December 31, 2022		4,855,876		293,410

		-		-
Balance – June 30, 2023		4,855,876		293,410

Summary of assumptions to determine share-based compensation costs over the life of awards

	June 30, 2023			June 30, 2022
Expected dividend yield	$	0.00		$	0.00
Expected volatility		104.46	%		115.75	%
Risk-free annual interest rate		3.56	%		1.59	%
Expected life (years)		5.45			5.72
Share price	$	3.75		$	8.88
Exercise price	$	3.75		$	8.88
Grant date fair value	$	2.99		$	7.47

Summary of number and weighted average exercise prices of share options

	Stock options		Weighted average exercise price
	#		$
Balance – January 1, 2023		42,030		20.05
Granted		14,000		3.75
Cancelled / Forfeited		-		-
Balance – June 30, 2023		56,030		15.98

	Stock options			Weighted average exercise price
	#			$
Balance – January 1, 2022		43,455			22.00
Granted		2,000			8.88
Cancelled / Forfeited		(2,399	)		10.98
Balance – June 30, 2022		43,056			21.95

Summary of DSU activity

	2023		2022
	#		#
Balance – January 1,		96,920		16,920
Granted		100,000		-
Balance – June 30,		196,920		16,920

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Supplemental Disclosure Of Cash Flow Information

Disclosure of changes in operating assets and liabilities

	2023			2022			2023			2022
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
	$			$			$			$
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade and other receivables		199			(255	)		402			220
Inventory		135			-			140			(206	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(748	)		(1,471	)		(122	)		(759	)
Payables and accrued liabilities		(398	)		(40	)		(163	)		119
Deferred revenues		(1,205	)		1,001			(1,359	)		1,008
Provision for restructuring and other costs		4			-			(5	)		-
Employee future benefits		(109	)		(97	)		(254	)		(118	)
		(2,122	)		(862	)		(1,361	)		264

Net loss per share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Net Loss Per Share

Summary of pertinent data relating to computation of basic and diluted net loss per share

The following table sets forth pertinent data relating to the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders.

	2023			2022			2023			2022
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
	$			$			$			$
Net loss		(2,518	)		(4,216	)		(6,772	)		(6,856	)
Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876			4,855,876

Basic and diluted loss per share		(0.52	)		(0.87	)		(1.39	)		(1.41	)
Basic loss per share		(0.52	)		(0.87	)		(1.39	)		(1.41	)

Items excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect:
Stock options and DSUs		252,950			62,375			252,950			62,375
Warrants		457,648			457,648			457,648			457,648
Anti-dilutive shares

Commitments (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Commitments

Schedule of expected future minimum lease payments

Significant expenditure contracted for at the end of the reporting period but not recognized as liabilities is as follows:

	TOTAL
	$
Less than 1 year		7,586
1 - 3 years		151
4 - 5 years		37
More than 5 years		-
Total		7,774

Summary of revenue from transfer of goods and services (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total	$ 2,246	$ (222)	$ 4,374	$ 1,295
License Fees [Member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total	795	(206)	1,554	226
Development Services [Member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total	1,402	(77)	2,741	889
Product Sales [Member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total				57
Royalties [Member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total	7	24	26	43
Supply Chain [Member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total	$ 42	$ 37	$ 53	$ 80

Summary of deferred revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total Current Deferred Revenues	$ 202	$ 2,949
Total Deferred Revenues Non Current	1,580	1,684
Total Deferred Revenues	1,782	4,633
Novo Nordisk Health Care [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total Current Deferred Revenues		2,914
Total Deferred Revenues Non Current
Total Deferred Revenues		2,914
Pharmanovia [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total Current Deferred Revenues	193
Total Deferred Revenues Non Current	1,459
Total Deferred Revenues	1,652
NK Meditech [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total Current Deferred Revenues	9
Total Deferred Revenues Non Current	121	128
Total Deferred Revenues	$ 130	128
Consilient Health [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total Current Deferred Revenues		35
Total Deferred Revenues Non Current		1,556
Total Deferred Revenues		$ 1,591

Revenue (Details Narrative) € in Thousands, $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Revenue (Details Narrative) € in Thousands, $ in Thousands	May 23, 2023 USD ($)	May 23, 2023 EUR (€)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Mar. 15, 2023 USD ($)	Mar. 15, 2023 EUR (€)
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Revenue			$ 2,246	$ (222)	$ 4,374	$ 1,295
Novo Nordisk Health Care AG [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Detect trial costs	$ 10,100	€ 9,400
Unsatisfied performance obligations [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Performance obligations							$ 1,658	€ 1,540
Indication performance obligation [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Performance obligations							1,233	1,145
Pediatric indication performance [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Performance obligations							$ 425	€ 395
Goods or services transferred over time [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Revenue			2,197	283	4,295	1,115
Goods or services transferred at point in time [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Revenue			$ 49	$ 61	$ 79	$ 180

Summary of net defined benefit liability asset (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Change in plan liabilities
Balances – Beginning of the period	$ 21,750	$ 29,412
Current service cost	69	142
Interest cost	402	295
Actuarial loss (gain) from changes in financial assumptions	(143)	5,915
Benefits paid	(380)	(752)
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes	262	(1,432)
Balances – End of the period	22,246	21,750
Change in plan assets
Balances – Beginning of the period	10,591	11,927
Interest income from plan assets	198	120
Employer contributions	14	45
Employee contributions	8	10
Benefits paid	(136)	(247)
Remeasurement of plan assets	63	(641)
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes	127	(623)
Balances – End of the period	10,865	10,591
Net liability of the unfunded plans	10,969	10,787
Net liability of the funded plans	412	372
Net amount recognized as Employee future benefits	11,381	11,159
Amounts recognized:
In net loss	265	295
Actuarial (loss) gain on defined benefit plans in other comprehensive (loss) income	(80)	5,262
Pension defined benefit plans [member]
Change in plan liabilities
Balances – Beginning of the period	21,657
Current service cost	63
Interest cost	400
Actuarial loss (gain) from changes in financial assumptions	(143)
Benefits paid	(380)
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes	261
Balances – End of the period	22,144	21,657
Change in plan assets
Balances – Beginning of the period	10,591
Interest income from plan assets	198
Employer contributions	14
Employee contributions	8
Benefits paid	(136)
Remeasurement of plan assets	63
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes	127
Balances – End of the period	10,865	10,591
Net liability of the unfunded plans	10,867
Net liability of the funded plans	412
Net amount recognized as Employee future benefits	11,279
Amounts recognized:
In net loss	257
Actuarial (loss) gain on defined benefit plans in other comprehensive (loss) income	(80)
Other benefit plans [member]
Change in plan liabilities
Balances – Beginning of the period	93
Current service cost	6
Interest cost	2
Actuarial loss (gain) from changes in financial assumptions
Benefits paid
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes	1
Balances – End of the period	102	93
Change in plan assets
Balances – Beginning of the period
Interest income from plan assets
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Benefits paid
Remeasurement of plan assets
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes
Balances – End of the period
Net liability of the unfunded plans	102
Net liability of the funded plans
Net amount recognized as Employee future benefits	102
Amounts recognized:
In net loss	8
Actuarial (loss) gain on defined benefit plans in other comprehensive (loss) income

Employee future benefits (Details Narrative)	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Employee Future Benefits
Employee future benefit obligation	3.70%	3.75%

Summary of share capital (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Balance – Value	$ 35,776	$ 54,294	$ 52,986
Balance – Value	$ 29,079	35,776	54,294
Issued capital [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Number of shares issued	4,855,876
Balance – Value	$ 293,410	$ 293,410	293,410
Number of shares issued	4,855,876	4,855,876
Balance – Value	$ 293,410	$ 293,410	$ 293,410

Summary of assumptions to determine share-based compensation costs over the life of awards (Details) - $ / shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Shareholders Equity
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	104.46%	115.75%
Risk-free annual interest rate	3.56%	1.59%
Expected life (years)	5 years 5 months 12 days	5 years 8 months 19 days
Share price	$ 3.75	$ 8.88
Exercise price	3.75	8.88
Grant date fair value	$ 2.99	$ 7.47

Summary of number and weighted average exercise prices of share options (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023 shares $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2022 shares $ / shares
Shareholders Equity
Number of Options, Beginning \| shares	42,030	43,455
Weighted average exercise price, beginning \| $ / shares	$ 20.05	$ 22.00
Number of Options, Granted \| shares	14,000	2,000
Weighted average exercise price, granted \| $ / shares	$ 3.75	$ 8.88
Number of Options, Canceled/Forfeited \| shares		(2,399)
Weighted average exercise price, cancelled/forfeited \| $ / shares		$ 10.98
Number of Options, Ending \| shares	56,030	43,056
Weighted average exercise price, ending \| $ / shares	$ 15.98	$ 21.95

Summary of DSU activity (Details) - Deferred Share Unit [member] - shares			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2023	Jun. 14, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Balance – January 1,			96,920	16,920
Granted	100,000		100,000
Balance – June 30,			196,920	16,920

Shareholders’ equity (Details Narrative) $ in Thousands						3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Shareholders’ equity (Details Narrative) $ in Thousands	Jun. 14, 2023 shares	Jan. 17, 2023 shares	Jul. 15, 2022	Jun. 14, 2022 shares	Jan. 17, 2022 shares	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($) shares	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($) shares
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Number of options, granted								14,000	2,000
Compensation expenses \| $						$ 22	$ 33	$ 39	$ 60
Deferred Share Unit [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Compensation expenses \| $						$ 284		$ 284
Number of share units granted	100,000							100,000
2018 Long Term Incentive Plan [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Number of options, granted		14,000			2,000
Shareholders and Board of Directors [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Reverse stock split			1-for-25
Deferred Stock Units [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Reverse stock split			1-for-25

Disclosure of changes in operating assets and liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Supplemental Disclosure Of Cash Flow Information
Trade and other receivables	$ 199	$ (255)	$ 402	$ 220
Inventory	135		140	(206)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(748)	(1,471)	(122)	(759)
Payables and accrued liabilities	(398)	(40)	(163)	119
Deferred revenues	(1,205)	1,001	(1,359)	1,008
Provision for restructuring and other costs	4		(5)
Employee future benefits	(109)	(97)	(254)	(118)
Increase (decrease) in operating assets and liabilities	$ (2,122)	$ (862)	$ (1,361)	$ 264

Summary of pertinent data relating to computation of basic and diluted net loss per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Net loss	$ (2,518)	$ (4,216)	$ (6,772)	$ (6,856)
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	4,855,876	4,855,876	4,855,876	4,855,876
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	4,855,876	4,855,876	4,855,876	4,855,876
Basic loss per share	$ (0.52)	$ (0.87)	$ (1.39)	$ (1.41)
Diluted loss per share	$ (0.52)	$ (0.87)	$ (1.39)	$ (1.41)
Employee Stock Option 1 Deferred Stock Units [member]
Items excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect:
Anti-dilutive shares	252,950	62,375	252,950	62,375
Warrants [member]
Items excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect:
Anti-dilutive shares	457,648	457,648	457,648	457,648

Schedule of expected future minimum lease payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total	$ 7,774
Not later than one year [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total	7,586
1 to 3 Years [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total	151
4 to 5 Years [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total	37
Later than five years [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Total

Commitments (Details Narrative) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2021
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Minimum lease payments net	$ 7,774
Top of range [member]
IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items]
Minimum lease payments net		$ 38,887

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