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Form 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rules 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Dated: December 19, 2003

ALTANA Aktiengesellschaft
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Am Pilgerrain 15
D-61352 Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe
Federal Republic of Germany
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F þ     Form 40-F o

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o     No þ

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-                

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This Report on Form 6-K contains:

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

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ALTANA will submit Daxas^® (Roflumilast) for European approval in February 2004

Bad Homburg, December 19, 2003 — ALTANA AG (NYSE: AAA; FSE: ALT), Germany, announced today that its Pharmaceutical Division ALTANA Pharma, in partnership with Pfizer Inc., will submit the registration dossier for its respiratory drug Daxas^® (Roflumilast) for European approval to the EMEA (European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products) in February 2004.

Daxas^® is being developed as an oral, once-daily, anti-inflammatory, selective phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4)-inhibitor for the treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma.

“We are delighted that the approval process in Europe can be initiated. The efficacy and safety of Daxas^® will provide an important option for patients suffering from COPD and asthma”, said Dr. Hans-Joachim Lohrisch, Member of the Management Board of ALTANA AG and CEO of ALTANA Pharma.

Daxas^® is being developed with Pfizer in the United States and other markets. A cooperation agreement has also been made with Tanabe Seiyaku in Japan.

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This press release contains forward-looking statements, i.e., current estimates or expectations of future events or future results. The forward-looking statements appearing in this press release include information on the planned submission of the registration dossier for Daxas^® for approval in Europe. These statements are based on beliefs of ALTANA’s management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to ALTANA. Many factors that ALTANA is unable to predict with accuracy could cause ALTANA’s actual results or performance to be materially different from those that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. ALTANA does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances or events that have occurred or changed after such statements have been made.

This press release is also available on the Internet at www.altana.de.

For inquiries please contact:

ALTANA AG
Dr. Thomas Gauly
Head of Corporate Communications &
Investor Relations

Media Relations:
Tel.: + 49 (0) 6172 - 1712 160
Tel.: + 49 (0) 6172 - 1712 168
Fax: + 49 (0) 6172 - 1712 158

Investor Relations:
Tel: +49 (0) 6172 - 1712 163
Tel.: + 49 (0) 6172 - 1712 165
Fax: + 49 (0) 6172 - 1712 158

Investor Relations USA:
Tel: +1 212 974 98 00
Fax: +1 212 974 61 90

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