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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2006</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Registration No. 333-</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Washington, D.C.  20549</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><u><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></u></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>FORM S-8</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><u><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></u></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><u><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><B><font SIZE=2>AXCAN PHARMA INC.</font></B><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></u></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><u><b><font size=2>Canada</font></b></u></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(State or Other Jurisdiction of</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>Incorporation or Organization)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><u><b><font size=2>5122</font></b></u></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number (if applicable))</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><U><B><font SIZE=2>N/A</font></B></U></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><u><b><font size=2>597 Laurier Blvd., Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada J3H 6C4 (450) 467-5138</font></b></u></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><u><b><font size=2>CT Corporation System, 111 8th Avenue, 15th Floor, NY, NY 10011 (212) 894-8700</font></b></u></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Name, Address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of agent for service in the United States)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>AXCAN PHARMA INC. </font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>2006 Stock Incentive Plan </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Full title of the Plan)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</font></B></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>Title of Securities to be Registered</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>Amount to be Registered(1)</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>Proposed Maximum Offering</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>Price Per Share (3)</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>Proposed Maximum Aggregate</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>Offering Price (3)</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>Amount of Registration Fee (3)</font></p> </td> </tr>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>Common Stock </font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>4,550,000(2)</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>$13.37</font></p> </td>
        <td width="90" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-right:none; padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>$60,833,500</font></p> </td>
        <td width="97" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-right:none; padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:103.499997854233%'><font size=2>$6,509.19</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(1)</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Upon a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction during the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, the number of shares registered shall be automatically </font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>1</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>increased to cover the additional shares in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933.   </font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(2)</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Consists of (i) 2,250,000 shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock to be sold pursuant to the Axcan Pharma Inc. 2006 Stock Purchase Plan (the &#147;ESPP Sub-plan&#148;), which is a sub-plan under the Axcan Pharma Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) and (ii) 2,300,000 shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock to be issued under the Plan (other than the shares to be purchased pursuant to the ESPP Sub-plan) </font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(3)</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933, based on the average of the high </font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>($13.49) and low ($13.25) selling prices of the Common Stock as reported on The NASDAQ National Market on March 23, 2006. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>PART I</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>10(a) PROSPECTUS</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Item 1</font></b></u><b><font size=2>.</font></b></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Plan Information*</font></b><u></u></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Item 2</font></b></u><b><font size=2>.</font></b></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information*</font></b><u></u></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.56in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>*As permitted by Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), this Registration Statement omits the information specified in Part I of Form S-8.  The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants in the plans covered by the Registration Statement as required by Rule 428(b).  These documents and the documents incorporated herein by reference pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.  Such documents are not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.  </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>PART II</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Item 3</font></b></u><b><font size=2>.</font></b></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</font></b><u></u></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>The following documents are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.61in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2> (a)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 (SEC File No. 000-30860) and filed December 28, 2006, as amended by the Company&#146;s Form 40-F/A filing with the SEC on January 6, 2006;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>2</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.59in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2> (b)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>The Registrant&#146;s current reports (SEC File No. 000-30860) on Form 6-K since September 30, 2005;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.59in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2> (c)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>The description of the Registrant's shares of Common Stock which is set forth under the heading &#147;Description of Share Capital&#148; in the Registrant's registration statement on </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>Amendment No. 1 to Form F-10 (Registration No. 333-12068) filed with the SEC on June 23, 2000, and which was also incorporated by reference in the Registrant's registration statement on Amendment No. 2 to Form 8-A (Registration No. (001-15927) filed with the SEC on June 27, 2000, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.55in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.  Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Item 4</font></b></u><b><font size=2>.</font></b></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Descriptions of Securities</font></b><u></u></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Not applicable.  </font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Item 5</font></b></u><b><font size=2>.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="296" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</font></b><u></u></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="48" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="121" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Not Applicable.  </font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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        <td width="96" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Item 6.</font></b></u></p> </td>
        <td width="303" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Indemnification of Directors and Officers</font></b><u></u></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.55in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>Under the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Registrant may indemnify a present or former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Registrant's request as a director or officer of another corporation of which the Registrant is or was a shareholder or creditor and his heirs and legal representatives against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been such a director or officer if the director or officer acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant, and, in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, had reasonable grounds for believing his conduct was lawful.
Such indemnification may be made in connection with a derivative action only with court approval. A director or officer is entitled to indemnification from the Registrant as a matter of right if he was substantially successful on the merits and fulfilled the conditions set forth above.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.55in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>In accordance with the Canada Business Corporations Act, the by-laws of the Registrant provide that the Registrant shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or a </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>3</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>person who acts or acted at the Registrant&#146;s request as a director or officer of another corporation of which the Registrant is or was a shareholder or creditor and his heirs and legal representative against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of such body if he acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant, and in the case of a criminal action or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.57in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>The Registrant maintains directors' and officers' civil liability insurance with an aggregate policy limit of U.S. $ 25,000,000 for directors and officers per policy year. Under this insurance coverage, the Registrant would be reimbursed for indemnity payments made on behalf of its directors and officers subject to a self-insured retention (deductible) of U.S. $500,000 per claim.  Individual directors and officers would also be reimbursed for losses arising during the performance of their duties for which they are not indemnified by the</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>Registrant.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="379" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Item 7</font></b></u><font size=2>.</font></p> </td>
        <td width="283" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Exemption from Registration Claimed</font></b><u></u></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="48" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="121" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Not Applicable.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="96" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Item 8</font></b></u><b><font size=2>.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="77" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Exhibits</font></b><u></u></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.56in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>For a list of all exhibits filed or included as part of this Registration Statement, see "Index to Exhibits" at the end of this Registration Statement.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="96" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Item 9</font></b></u><b><font size=2>.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="113" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Undertakings</font></b><u></u></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The Registrant hereby undertakes:</font></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="48" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:6pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(1)</font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: </font></p> </td> </tr></table>



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    <tr >
        <td width="96" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(i) </font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</font></p> </td> </tr></table>



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    <tr >
        <td width="96" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(ii) </font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 </font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>4</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement;</font><b><font size=2> </font></b></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="96" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(iii) </font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; </font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><i><font size=2>provided, however</font></i><font size=2>, that</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="96" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(A) </font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement; and</font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="96" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(B)</font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="96" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(C)</font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Provided further, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is for an offering of asset-backed securities on Form S-1 or Form S-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment is provided pursuant to Item 1100(c) of Regulation AB.  </font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(2)</font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial </font><i><font size=2>bona fide</font></i><font size=2> offering thereof.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(3)</font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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    <tr >
        <td width="52" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="44" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(4)</font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:</font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:1in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>(i) If the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B (&sect;230.430B of this chapter):</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:1in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>5</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>(A)</font><font size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2> Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the Registration Statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the Registration Statement; and</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:1in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>(B) </font><font size=1>&nbsp;</font><font size=2>Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that
prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </font><i><font size=2>Provided, however</font></i><font size=2>, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>or</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:1in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>(ii) If the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or
made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:1in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(5)</font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:</font></p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>6</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>The Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the Registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the Registrant or used or referred to by the Registrant;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the Registrant; and</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the Registrant to the purchaser.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial </font><i><font size=2>bona fide</font></i><font size=2> offering thereof.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>7</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>SIGNATURES</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.54in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in the United States, in the City of Birmingham, Alabama, on this 24th day of March, 2006</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="429" >
    <tr >
        <td width="288" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="141" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Axcan Pharma Inc.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="621" >
    <tr >
        <td width="288" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>By:</font></p> </td>
        <td  nowrap colspan="3" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/ Martha Donze &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></u></p> </td>
        <td  width="24">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  nowrap colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="111" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Martha Donze</font></p> </td>
        <td   colspan="3">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  nowrap colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  nowrap colspan="4" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Vice President, Corporate Administration</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  nowrap colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  nowrap colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(Duly Authorized Representative)</font></p> </td>
        <td   colspan="2">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
    <tr>
        <td width="288" ></td>

        <td width="48" ></td>

        <td width="111" ></td>

        <td width="127" ></td>

        <td width="24" ></td>

        <td width="24" ></td> </tr> </table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>POWER OF ATTORNEY</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.54in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>We, the undersigned directors and officers of the registrant, hereby severally constitute and appoint Martha Donze, our true and lawful attorney and agent, to do any and all things in our names in the capacities indicated below which said person may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with the registration statement on Form S-8 relating to the offering of the registrant's Common Stock, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for us in our names in the capacities indicated below the Registration Statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto; and we hereby approve, ratify and confirm all that said person shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.54in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="637" >
    <tr >
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p  align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center; text-indent:0in'><u><b><font size=2>Signature</font></b></u><u></u></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-left:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p  align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center; text-indent:0in'><u><b><font size=2>Title</font></b></u><u></u></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-left:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p  align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center; text-indent:0in'><u><b><font size=2>Date</font></b></u><u></u></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:38.65pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:38.65pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/ Frank A.G.M. Verwiel</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Frank A.G.M. Verwiel</font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:38.65pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Chief Executive Officer and a Director </font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(Principal Executive Officer)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:38.65pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>March 8, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:40.0pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/ Steve Gannon</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Steve Gannon </font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) </font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>March 20, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:40.0pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/ Jean V&#233;zina</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Jean V&#233;zina</font><u></u></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Vice President, Finance</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(Principal Accounting Officer) </font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>March 8, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:40.0pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/ Dr. E. Rolland Dickson</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Dr. E. Rolland Dickson</font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>March 1, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>8</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="637" >
    <tr style='height:35.5pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:35.5pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/ Jacques Gauthier</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Jacques Gauthier</font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-left:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:35.5pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-left:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:35.5pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>March 2, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:40.0pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/ L&#233;on F. Gosselin</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Leon F. Gosselin</font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>March 6, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:40.0pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>_______________</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Louis P. Lacasse</font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:40.0pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/ Colin R. Mallet</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Colin R. Mallet </font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>March 3, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:40.0pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>________________</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Fran&#231;ois Painchaud</font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Secretary and Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:40.0pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/s/ Marie C. Ritchie</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Marie C. Ritchie</font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>March 6, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:40.0pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>________________</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Dr. Claude Sauriol</font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:40.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:35.5pt'>
        <td width="199" valign=top style='border:solid black 1.0pt;border-color:gray; border-top:none; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:35.5pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>s/ Michael M. Tarnow</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Michael M. Tarnow</font></p> </td>
        <td width="286" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:35.5pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="152" valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:35.5pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>March 2, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>9</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="73" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><u><font size=2>Exhibit</font></u></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><u><font size=2>Description</font></u></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="73" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2>4.1</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2>Axcan Pharma Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan </font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="73" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2>5</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2>Opinion of Blakes Cassels &amp; Graydon LLP as to the legality of the Common Stock being registered</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="73" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2>23.1</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2>Consent of Blakes Cassels &amp; Graydon LLP (included in Exhibit 5)</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="73" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2>23.2</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2>Consent of Raymond Chabot Grant Thorton LLP</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="73" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2>24</font></p> </td>
        <td width="565" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2>Power of Attorney (contained in the signature page to this Registration Statement)</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:3.25in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>1</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "axs8-032406.htm", "secsgml_size_bytes": 84472}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AXCAN PHARMA INC", "cik": "0001116094", "assigned-sic": "5122", "irs-number": "000000000", "fiscal-year-end": "0930"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-132692", "film-number": "06709192"}, "business-address": {"street1": "597 LAURIER BLVD MONT ST HILAIRE", "city": "QUEBEC CANADA J3H 6C", "state": "A8", "zip": "00000", "phone": "4504675138"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "597 LAURIER BLVD MT ST CLAIR", "city": "QUEBEC CANADA"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2006
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AXCAN PHARMA INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Canada
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
5122
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number (if applicable))
N/A
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
597 Laurier Blvd., Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada J3H 6C4 (450) 467-5138
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
CT Corporation System, 111 8th Avenue, 15th Floor, NY, NY 10011 (212) 894-8700
(Name, Address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of agent for service in the United States)
AXCAN PHARMA INC.
2006 Stock Incentive Plan
(Full title of the Plan)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered
Amount to be Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum Offering
Price Per Share (3)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price (3)
Amount of Registration Fee (3)
Common Stock
4,550,000(2)
$13.37
$60,833,500
$6,509.19
(1)
Upon a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction during the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, the number of shares registered shall be automatically
1
increased to cover the additional shares in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(2)
Consists of (i) 2,250,000 shares of the Registrant's common stock to be sold pursuant to the Axcan Pharma Inc. 2006 Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP Sub-plan"), which is a sub-plan under the Axcan Pharma Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and (ii) 2,300,000 shares of the Registrant's common stock to be issued under the Plan (other than the shares to be purchased pursuant to the ESPP Sub-plan)
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933, based on the average of the high
($13.49) and low ($13.25) selling prices of the Common Stock as reported on The NASDAQ National Market on March 23, 2006.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION
10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1
.
Plan Information*
Item 2
.
Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information*
*As permitted by Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement omits the information specified in Part I of Form S-8.  The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants in the plans covered by the Registration Statement as required by Rule 428(b).  These documents and the documents incorporated herein by reference pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.  Such documents are not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3
.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The following documents are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
(a)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 (SEC File No. 000-30860) and filed December 28, 2006, as amended by the Company's Form 40-F/A filing with the SEC on January 6, 2006;
2
(b)
The Registrant's current reports (SEC File No. 000-30860) on Form 6-K since September 30, 2005;
(c)
The description of the Registrant's shares of Common Stock which is set forth under the heading "Description of Share Capital" in the Registrant's registration statement on
Amendment No. 1 to Form F-10 (Registration No. 333-12068) filed with the SEC on June 23, 2000, and which was also incorporated by reference in the Registrant's registration statement on Amendment No. 2 to Form 8-A (Registration No. (001-15927) filed with the SEC on June 27, 2000, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.  Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.
Item 4
.
Descriptions of Securities
Not applicable.
Item 5
.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Not Applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Under the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Registrant may indemnify a present or former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Registrant's request as a director or officer of another corporation of which the Registrant is or was a shareholder or creditor and his heirs and legal representatives against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been such a director or officer if the director or officer acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant, and, in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, had reasonable grounds for believing his conduct was lawful.
Such indemnification may be made in connection with a derivative action only with court approval. A director or officer is entitled to indemnification from the Registrant as a matter of right if he was substantially successful on the merits and fulfilled the conditions set forth above.
In accordance with the Canada Business Corporations Act, the by-laws of the Registrant provide that the Registrant shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or a
3
person who acts or acted at the Registrant's request as a director or officer of another corporation of which the Registrant is or was a shareholder or creditor and his heirs and legal representative against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of such body if he acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant, and in the case of a criminal action or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.
The Registrant maintains directors' and officers' civil liability insurance with an aggregate policy limit of U.S. $ 25,000,000 for directors and officers per policy year. Under this insurance coverage, the Registrant would be reimbursed for indemnity payments made on behalf of its directors and officers subject to a self-insured retention (deductible) of U.S. $500,000 per claim.  Individual directors and officers would also be reimbursed for losses arising during the performance of their duties for which they are not indemnified by the
Registrant.
Item 7
.
Exemption from Registration Claimed
Not Applicable.
Item 8
.
Exhibits
For a list of all exhibits filed or included as part of this Registration Statement, see "Index to Exhibits" at the end of this Registration Statement.
Item 9
.
Undertakings
The Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20
4
percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
provided, however
, that
(A)
Paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement; and
(B)
Paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(C)
Provided further, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is for an offering of asset-backed securities on Form S-1 or Form S-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment is provided pursuant to Item 1100(c) of Regulation AB.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) If the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B (§230.430B of this chapter):
5
(A)
Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the Registration Statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the Registration Statement; and
(B)
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that
prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Provided, however
, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date;
or
(ii) If the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or
made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(5)
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
6
The Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the Registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the Registrant or used or referred to by the Registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the Registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the Registrant to the purchaser.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
7
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in the United States, in the City of Birmingham, Alabama, on this 24th day of March, 2006
Axcan Pharma Inc.
By:
/s/ Martha Donze
Martha Donze
Vice President, Corporate Administration
(Duly Authorized Representative)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned directors and officers of the registrant, hereby severally constitute and appoint Martha Donze, our true and lawful attorney and agent, to do any and all things in our names in the capacities indicated below which said person may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with the registration statement on Form S-8 relating to the offering of the registrant's Common Stock, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for us in our names in the capacities indicated below the Registration Statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto; and we hereby approve, ratify and confirm all that said person shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Frank A.G.M. Verwiel
Frank A.G.M. Verwiel
Chief Executive Officer and a Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
March 8, 2006
/s/ Steve Gannon
Steve Gannon
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
March 20, 2006
/s/ Jean Vézina
Jean Vézina
Vice President, Finance
(Principal Accounting Officer)
March 8, 2006
/s/ Dr. E. Rolland Dickson
Dr. E. Rolland Dickson
Director
March 1, 2006
8
/s/ Jacques Gauthier
Jacques Gauthier
Director
March 2, 2006
/s/ Léon F. Gosselin
Leon F. Gosselin
Director
March 6, 2006
_______________
Louis P. Lacasse
Director
/s/ Colin R. Mallet
Colin R. Mallet
Director
March 3, 2006
________________
François Painchaud
Secretary and Director
/s/ Marie C. Ritchie
Marie C. Ritchie
Director
March 6, 2006
________________
Dr. Claude Sauriol
Director
s/ Michael M. Tarnow
Michael M. Tarnow
Director
March 2, 2006
9
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Description
4.1
Axcan Pharma Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
5
Opinion of Blakes Cassels & Graydon LLP as to the legality of the Common Stock being registered
23.1
Consent of Blakes Cassels & Graydon LLP (included in Exhibit 5)
23.2
Consent of Raymond Chabot Grant Thorton LLP
24
Power of Attorney (contained in the signature page to this Registration Statement)
1