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sanofi-aventis: Full-year Guidance Raised on Good 2007 First-Quarter Results


    PARIS, May 03, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --


    Net sales (on a comparable basis)(1):         up 6.9%

    Adjusted EPS(1):                             down 3.1%

    Adjusted EPS(1) excluding selected items(2):  up 11.0%

The consolidated income statement for the first quarter of 2007 is provided in the appendices. Consolidated net income after minority interests for the period was euro 1,537 million, compared with euro 1,512 million in the first quarter of 2006, after the impact of the accounting treatment of acquisitions (primarily the acquisition of Aventis) and associated after-tax restructuring costs totaling euro 580 million in the first quarter of 2007 and euro 661 million in the first quarter of 2006.

In order to give a better representation of our underlying economic performance, we have decided to present and explain an adjusted consolidated income statement(1) for the first quarter of 2007, and to compare it with an adjusted consolidated income statement for the first quarter of 2006. Adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2007 was euro 2,117 million, compared with euro 2,173 million for the first quarter of 2006.

Unless otherwise indicated, all sales growth figures in this press release are stated on a comparable basis(1).


    FIRST QUARTER OF 2007:

    -- Net sales: euro 7,177 million, up 6.9% (up 2.0% on a reported basis).

       Pharmaceuticals net sales growth was 6.2%, in line with the 2006

       fourth-quarter growth rate.

    -- "Operating income - current"(1) up 12.4%. Improvement of 3.5 points in

       the ratio of "Operating income - current"(1) to net sales

    -- Adjusted EPS of euro 1.57

    -- 11.0% growth in adjusted EPS excluding selected items(2) to euro 1.41,

       versus euro 1.27 for Q1 2006

2007 GUIDANCE RAISED: Based on the good results achieved in the first quarter of 2007, the company has raised its 2007 full-year adjusted EPS growth guidance from 6% to 9% (excluding selected items(2/3)).

Barring major adverse events (such as major adverse events on Lovenox(R) and Plavix(R) in the United States), the Group expects a growth in 2007 adjusted EPS excluding selected items in the range of 9%, calculated using a rate of 1 euro = $1.25, despite the end of protection for Ambien(R) IR in the United States in April and the arrival of generic competition for Eloxatin(R) in Europe. Sensitivity to the euro/dollar exchange rate is estimated at 0.6% of growth for a 1-cent movement in the exchange rate(4).

2007 first-quarter net sales

In the first quarter of 2007, sanofi-aventis generated net sales of euro 7,177 million, an increase of 6.9%. Exchange rate movements had an unfavorable impact of 4.6 points, two-thirds of which related to the U.S. dollar. Changes in Group structure had an unfavorable effect of 0.3 of a point. On a reported basis, net sales rose by 2.0%.

Net sales by business segment -- Pharmaceuticals

First-quarter net sales for the pharmaceuticals business were euro 6,610 million, an increase of 6.2%, in line with the growth rate for the fourth quarter of 2006. Net sales of the top 15 products were up 10.5% at euro 4,483 million, representing 67.8% of pharmaceuticals net sales compared with 65.2% in the first quarter of 2006.




                                                                   Change on

    euro million                                      Q1 2007     comparable

                                                     net sales       basis


    Lovenox(R)                                           634         +8.2 %

    Plavix(R)                                            569         -1.0 %

    Stilnox(R)/Ambien(R)/Ambien CR(TM)                   606        +49.3 %

    Taxotere(R)                                          449        +10.0 %

    Eloxatin(R)                                          393         -3.2 %

    Lantus(R)                                            458        +27.2 %

    Copaxone(R)                                          289        +17.5 %

    Aprovel(R)                                           264         +7.8 %

    Tritace(R)                                           211         -6.2 %

    Allegra(R)                                           201        +21.8 %

    Amaryl(R)                                             94        -19.0 %

    Xatral(R)                                             82         -9.9 %

    Actonel(R)                                            78        -10.3 %

    Depakine(R)                                           76          0.0 %

    Nasacort(R)                                           79        +21.5 %

    TOTAL TOP 15                                       4,483        +10.5 %

    TOTAL TOP 15 excluding Eloxatin(R) in Europe       4,374        +11.8 %



First-quarter net sales of other pharmaceutical products fell by 1.8% to euro 2,127 million, against euro 2,165 million(5) in 2006. Net sales of the antibiotic Ketek(R) halved year-on-year (to euro 30 million, from euro 59 million(5) in the first quarter of 2006) due to restrictions on the indications for the product.




    Geographical split of consolidated net sales by product (Top 15)


    Q1 2007 net sales

    (euro million)

                         Change on a         Change on a          Change on a

                  Europe comparable  United  comparable   Other   comparable

                            basis    States    basis    countries    basis


    Lovenox(R)     186      +7.5%    385       +7.8%        63      +12.5%

    Plavix(R)      423      +2.9%     22      -63.9%       124      +20.4%

    Stilnox(R)/

     Ambien(R)/

     Ambien CR(TM)  22      -8.3%    555      +54.2%        29       31.8%

    Taxotere(R)    198     +13.8%    168       +4.3%        83      +13.7%

    Eloxatin(R)    109     -24.3%    245        9.9%        39        0.0%

    Lantus(R)      148     +14.7%    270      +31.7%        40      +53.8%

    Copaxone(R)     78     +18.2%    197      +17.3%        14      +16.7%

    Aprovel(R)     209      +5.0%      -           -        55      +19.6%

    Tritace(R)     118     -11.9%      1      -75.0%        92       +5.7%

    Allegra(R)      17     +21.4%     92      +21.1%        92      +22.7%

    Amaryl(R)       32     -41.8%      2      -33.3%        60       +3.4%

    Xatral(R)       44     -29.0%     25      +47.1%        13       +8.3%

    Actonel(R)      51     -20.3%      -           -        27      +17.4%

    Depakine(R)     53      -3.6%      -           -        23       +9.5%

    Nasacort(R)     13      30.0%     60      +25.0%         6      -14.3%



Comments by product

Net sales of Lovenox(R), the leading low molecular weight heparin on the market, reached euro 634 million in the first quarter, a rise of 8.2%. Growth of the product continues to be driven by its increasing use in medical prophylaxis.

Filing for approval of Lovenox(R) as a treatment for patients suffering from acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (ExTRACT study) took place in the fourth quarter of 2006 in both Europe and the United States, where the FDA granted a priority review. This new indication is expected to further enhance the superiority of Lovenox over non-fractioned heparins.

The results of the PREVAIL study, showing the superiority of Lovenox(R) over unfractionated heparin for reducing the risk of venous thrombo-embolism in patients with acute ischemic stroke, were published in the April issue of The Lancet.

The results of the EXCLAIM study, which is examining the benefits of an extended Lovenox(R) regimen for prophylaxis of venous thrombo-embolism in medicalized patients, will be presented at the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) Congress in July 2007.

Sales of Plavix(R) raw materials to the United States, which are consolidated by sanofi-aventis, remained weak in the first quarter (euro 22 million, down 64%) due to the availability in the United States of a generic version of clopidogrel bisulfate 75 mg tablets. Excluding this effect, consolidated net sales of Plavix(R) would have risen by 6.4% in the quarter.

First-quarter net sales of Ambien(R) IR/Ambien CR(TM) in the United States rose by 54.2% to euro 555 million, a figure which includes euros 149 million for Ambien CR(TM) ($195 million). The market share of Ambien(R) IR /Ambien CR(TM) reached 46.3% in March (IMS NPA March 2007). At end March, prescriptions of Ambien CR(TM) represented 31.3% (IMS NPA weekly) of total Ambien(R) brand prescriptions.

Ambien(R) IR is facing competition from generics in the US, as its protection expired on April 20, 2007.

In Japan, sales of Myslee(R) (not consolidated by sanofi-aventis) reached euro 24 million in the first quarter, an increase of 8.4%.

Taxotere(R) reported strong first-quarter growth in "Other countries" (13.7%) and Europe (13.8%). In the United States, where the competitive environment remains challenging, net sales of the product rose by 4.3%. Taxotere(R) is now being sold in its two new indications (gastric cancer, head and neck cancer) in the United States and Europe.

In Europe, Eloxatin(R), which is facing competition from generics in some countries (in particular Germany and the United Kingdom), reported a 24.3% decline in net sales to euro 109 million. In the United States, the product - which is still the market-leading colorectal cancer treatment both as adjuvant and in the metastatic phase -- achieved further growth (of 9.9%, to euro 245 million).

Lantus(R), the world's leading insulin brand, continues to record excellent performances. Net sales of the product rose by 31.7% in the United States and 53.8% in "Other countries". Solostar(R), a new disposable pen that can be used to administer Lantus(R) and/or the rapid-acting insulin Apidra(R), is gradually being rolled out across Europe from April, following the initial launch of Lantus(R) Solostar(R) in Germany. Solostar(R) reduces the force needed to inject insulin by 30% relative to the most commonly-available pens. It is also the only disposable multi-dose pen able to deliver doses of up to 80 units of insulin adjustable in 1-unit steps. Lantus(R) Solostar(R) has been approved by the FDA at the end of April.

Allegra(R) recorded a strong start to the year in Japan due to an early start to the pollen season.

As part of the agreements with Altana Pharma (member of the Nycomed group) concerning Alvesco(R) (ciclesonide) in the US, Sanofi aventis has informed its partner on April 17, 2007 of its decision to transfer back its rights related to Alvesco(R) (ciclesonide). The Group's collaboration with Nycomed for the development and the commercialization of the combination product of ciclesonide with formoterol in the US continues.

Acomplia(R) is now available in over 10 European countries. It has been available in France since March 2007, and is reimbursable for obese patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled by metformin or sulphonylurea. In early April, the product was granted marketing approval in Switzerland and is reimbursed for the treatment of type 2 diabetics overweight patients and for the treatment of patients with obesity. At the end of April, Acomplia has been approved in Brazil for the treatment of obese patients, or overweight patients with associated risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes or dyslipidemia. Acomplia(R) is also available in Argentina, Mexico and Chile. First-quarter net sales totaled euro 15 million.

The SERENADE dossier was filed with the European healthcare authorities in December 2006 and with the FDA in February 2007. This study showed significant improvements in blood sugar control and weight, as well as in other risk factors such as HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol) and triglycerides, when compared to placebo in type 2 diabetes patients not currently treated with anti-diabetic medications.

In the United States, rimonabant is on the agenda for the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting to be held on June 13, 2007. The FDA action letter is due on July 26, 2007.



    Worldwide presence(1) of Plavix(R) / Iscover(R):


                                            Change on a

      euro million            Q1 2007       comparable

                                              basis


    Europe                       448          +5.4 %

    United States                603          -7.4 %

    Other countries              183         +18.1 %

    TOTAL                      1,234          +0.2 %


On August 8, 2006, Apotex announced that it had launched a generic version of clopidogrel bisulfate 75 mg tablets in competition with Plavix(R) in the United States. On August 31, 2006, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted the motion filed by sanofi-aventis and Bristol- Myers Squibb for a preliminary injunction and ordered Apotex to halt sales of its generic version of clopidogrel bisulfate. However, the Court did not order the recall of products already sold by Apotex.

This preliminary injunction was upheld by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in December 2006.

Consequently, U.S. sales of Plavix(R) rallied strongly in the first quarter of 2007 to euro 603 million (7.4% down versus the first quarter of 2006) after having been hit hard in the fourth quarter of 2006 (euro 273 million).

Total prescriptions (TRx) of clopidogrel bisulfate rose by 19.5%(6) in the quarter thanks to sustained promotional activity. In addition, a recent FDA panel has recommended prolonged treatment for patients with drug eluting stents.

On April 18, 2007, a U.S. subsidiary of sanofi-aventis received a subpoena from the Attorney General of the State of New York requesting the production of certain documents relating to the proposed settlement of the U.S. Plavix(R) patent litigation against Apotex.

In Europe, first-quarter net sales of Plavix(R) were up 5.4% at euro 448 million, despite a further decline in German sales due to a marked slowdown in the market and the effect of parallel imports.

In Japan, the two-week limit on prescriptions imposed by the Japanese authorities will remain in force until May 2007. Quarterly sales of Plavix(R) totaled euro 4 million. The application relating to Plavix(R) as a treatment for acute coronary syndrome was filed with the Japanese authorities at the end of 2006.



    Worldwide presence(1) of Aprovel(R)/Avapro(R)/Karvea(R):


                                             Change on a

           euro million         Q1 2007       comparable

                                                basis


    Europe                        227           +7.1 %

    United States                 123          +15.0 %

    Other countries                93          +19.2 %

                      TOTAL       443          +11.6 %


In the first quarter of 2007, the worldwide presence of Aprovel(R)/Avapro(R)/Karvea(R) was represented by sales of euro 443 million , up 11.6%.

Net sales of the product in the United States rose by 15.0% in the first quarter, largely as a result of higher selling prices. In the same period, total prescriptions of the product were stable(6).

On April 18, the Cardio-Renal Advisory Committee of the FDA recommended approval of Avalide(R) as initial treatment of hypertension. Avalide(R) is a fixed-dose combination of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide that is currently approved for the treatment of hypertension in patients with blood pressure uncontrolled on monotherapy. If approved, the new indication for Avalide(R) would be the first-line treatment of hypertension in patients who are unlikely to obtain their blood pressure goals on monotherapy.

Net sales by business segment -- Human Vaccines

First-quarter consolidated net sales for the human vaccines business were euro 567 million, an increase of 16.0%.

The strong increase in Adult Booster vaccines was a significant growth driver. Sales of Adacel(TM) (adolescent & adult tetanus-diphtheria-pertusis booster), launched in the United States in July 2005, reached euro 67 million for the quarter, up 133.3%. A new production facility, approved by the FDA in August 2006, has provided additional capacity to address the growing demand for Adacel(TM) and other pertusis vaccines.

Quarterly sales of influenza vaccines fell by 17.1% to euro 58 million. In the southern hemisphere, influenza vaccine sales rose by 14.4%, while sales fell in the United States based on a 2006 first-quarter comparative that was boosted by the extension of the 2005 vaccine campaign and stockpile purchases by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


    Menactra(R) reported net sales of euro 75 million, representing year-on-

year growth of 53.7%, based on strong demand and increased availability of

supply.



                                                           Change on a

             euro million                   Q1 2007         comparable

                                           net sales          basis


    Polio/Pertusis/Hib Vaccines                181             +1.1 %

    Adult Booster Vaccines                     125            +64.5 %

    Influenza Vaccines                          58            -17.1 %

    Travel & other Endemics Vaccines            80             +5.3 %

    Meningitis/Pneumonia Vaccines               89            +48.3 %

    Other Vaccines                              34            +21.4 %

                     TOTAL                     567            +16.0 %


First-quarter sales at Sanofi Pasteur MSD, the joint venture with Merck & Co in Europe, rose by 3.5% on a reported basis to euro 149 million. This trend reflects differences in the phasing of several tenders for inline vaccines relative to the same period in 2006.

Gardasil(R) is now marketed by Sanofi Pasteur MSD in 18 European countries including France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy. Spain will follow during 2007. To date, the authorities in Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Norway and Luxemburg have recommended the vaccination of girls and young women against human papillomavirus.

    Sanofi Pasteur MSD sales are not consolidated by sanofi-aventis.


    Net sales by geographic region



                                                 Change on a

            euro million           Q1 2007        comparable

                                  net sales         basis


    Europe                          3,113          -1.3 %

    United States                   2,492         +16.4 %

    Other countries                 1,572         +10.9 %

                       TOTAL        7,177          +6.9 %


In Europe, the healthcare reforms introduced in France and Germany during 2006 continued to depress sales, which fell by 1.3% year on year. Germany again reported a sharp fall, as parallel imports of Plavix(R) and Lovenox(R) continued. France is also experiencing negative growth, but was helped by winter pathologies. The gradual introduction of Eloxatin(R) generics across Europe accounted for 1% of the first-quarter decline in the region's net sales.

The United States reported robust sales growth in the first quarter, thanks largely to strong performances for Ambien(R)/Ambien CR(TM), Lantus(R), and vaccines.

Growth in "Other countries" reached 10.9%, and was once again driven by Latin America and Asia.

2007 first-quarter adjusted consolidated income statement

The adjusted consolidated income statement is presented in Appendix 3.

Refer to Appendix 1 for a definition of "adjusted net income", and to Appendix 4 for a reconciliation of the consolidated income statement to the adjusted consolidated income statement.

Net sales generated by sanofi-aventis in the first quarter of 2007 rose by 2.0% on a reported basis to euro 7,177 million.

Gross profit was euro 5,569 million. The gross margin ratio was unchanged relative to the first quarter of 2006 at 77.6%, reflecting two contrasting trends:

    -- a drop in "Other revenues" (royalties) from euro 289 million to

       euro 256 million, mainly as a result of the discontinuation of royalty

       income from Merial on Fipronil and the decline in sales of Plavix(R) in

       the United States because of competition from a generic version;

    -- an improvement of 0.5 of a point (to 26.0%) in the ratio of cost of

       sales to net sales, thanks to a favorable product mix.

Research and development expenses were 3.3% higher at euro 1,081 million (around 7% excluding currency impact).

Selling and general expenses were 8.6% lower than in the first quarter of 2006 at euro 1,873 million, equivalent to 26.1% of net sales (against 29.1% in the comparable period of 2006). As well as the weakness of the dollar against the euro during the first quarter of 2007, sanofi-aventis continued with the measures implemented in 2006 to adapt to the changing industry environment.

Other current operating income and expenses showed net income of euro 137 million, against euro 91 million in the first quarter of 2006.

Operating income -- current(1) was up 12.4% at euro 2,719 million, equivalent to 37.9% of net sales, 3.5 points higher than in the first quarter of 2006.

A charge of euro 22 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2007 on the continuation of the restructuring plan initiated in France during 2006.

Operating income was euro 2,697 million, down 8.6%. This decrease was due to the fact that the 2006 first-quarter figure included net gains on disposals of euro 550 million, arising mainly on the disposals of the rights to Exubera(R) (euro 460 million, euro 384 million net of tax) and of the residual interest in the Animal Nutrition business (euro 45 million, euro 31 million net of tax).

Net financial expense came to euro 32 million, compared with euro 30 million in the first quarter of 2006. Interest expense on debt was euro 56 million, against euro 73 million in the comparable period of 2006.

Income tax expense was euro 595 million, compared with euro 832 million in the first quarter of 2006. The reported tax rate was 22.3%, against 28.5% for the comparable period of 2006. In 2007, this line included a net gain of euro 223 million related to net reversal of provisions for tax risks/resolution of tax audits, while in 2006 income tax expense was favorably impacted by the reduced tax rate charged on the gain on disposal of Exubera(R). Excluding these two items, the effective tax rate was 30.7%, the same as in the first quarter of 2006.

The share of profits from associates was euro 159 million, compared with euro 181 million in the first quarter of 2006. This line was primarily affected by a drop in the share of after-tax profits from territories managed by BMS (primarily the United States) under the Plavix(R) and Avapro(R) alliance (euro 99 million, versus euro 113 million in the first quarter of 2006) due to the availability of a generic version in the United States.

Minority interests totaled euro 112 million, against euro 97 million in the first quarter of 2006. This line includes the share of pre-tax profits paid to BMS from territories managed by sanofi-aventis (euro 107 million, against euro 94 million in the first quarter of 2006).

Adjusted net income was down 2.6% at euro 2,117 million.

Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) was euro 1.57, 3.1% lower than the 2006 first-quarter figure of euro 1.62, based on an average number of shares outstanding of 1,351.1 million in the first quarter of 2007 and 1,344.4 million in the first quarter of 2006.

Adjusted net income excluding selected items (see Appendix 5) was euro 1,909 million, 11.8% higher than the 2006 first-quarter figure of euro 1,707 million.

Adjusted earnings per share excluding selected items (see Appendix 5) was euro 1.41, 11.0% higher than the 2006 first-quarter figure of euro 1.27.

Net debt, which was euro 5.8 billion at end December 2006, stood at euro 4 billion as of March 31, 2007.

2007 guidance raised

Based on the good results achieved in the first quarter of 2007, the company has raised its 2007 full-year adjusted EPS growth guidance from 6% to 9% (excluding selected items(2/3)).

Barring major adverse events (such as major adverse events on Lovenox(R) and Plavix(R) in the United States), the Group expects a growth in 2007 adjusted EPS excluding selected items in the range of 9%, calculated using a rate of euro 1 = $1.25, despite the end of protection for Ambien(R) IR in the United States in April and the arrival of generic competition for Eloxatin(R) in Europe. Sensitivity to the euro/ dollar exchange rate is estimated at 0.6% of growth for a 1-cent movement in the exchange rate(4).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future events, operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expect," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions. Although sanofi-aventis management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of sanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward- looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by sanofi-aventis, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in the sanofi- aventis annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006. Other than as required by applicable law, sanofi-aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.


    1 Refer to the Appendix 1 for definitions of financial indicators

    2 See Appendix 5

    3 Excluding selected items, 2006 adjusted EPS was 4.88 euros

    4 Based on Q1 2007 average euro/dollar exchange rate (1 euro = 1,31),

      adjusted EPS growth guidance excluding selected items would be around

      5.4%

    5 Q1 2006 comparable net sales

    6 IMS NPA Q1 2007




    Recent Events


    February 12, 2007  Announcement of revisions to the prescribing

                        information for Ketek(R) in the United States

    February 13, 2007  Announcement that the review period for the Acomplia(R)

                        filing in the United States had been extended by 3

                        months to July 26, 2007

    February 23, 2007  Presentation to the ASCO Prostate Cancer Symposium of

                        long term survival results from the TAX 327 Phase III

                        clinical trial, which evaluated a Taxotere(R) based

                        regimen in patients with metastatic hormone refractory

                        prostate cancer

    March 16, 2007     Announcement that European launches of Lantus(R)

                        SoloSTAR(R) and Apidra(R) SoloSTAR(R) would begin in

                        April 2007

    March 22, 2007     Announcement of reimbursable status for Acomplia(R) in

                        France for obese patients with type 2 diabetes

    March 26, 2007     Announcement that rimonabant had been put on the

                        agenda for the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs

                        Advisory Committee Meeting to be held on June 13, 2007

    March 28, 2007     Announcement by sanofi-aventis and Oxford BioMedica of

                        the signature of an exclusive global license agreement

                        to develop and commercialize TroVax(R) for the

                        treatment and prevention of cancers

    March 30, 2007     Announcement of an update to the European Summary Of

                        Product Characteristics (SmPC) for Ketek(R)

    April 2, 2007      Announcement of the transfer of all the commercial

                        rights for Panaldine(R) in Japan from Daiichi to

                        sanofi-aventis

    April 3, 2007      Announcement of marketing approval for Acomplia(R) in

                        Switzerland

    April 17, 2007     Announcement of approval by the FDA of the sanofi

                        pasteur H5N1 vaccine

    April 20, 2007     Announcement of publication of the PREVAIL study

                        (Prevention of after Acute Ischemic Stroke with LMWH

                        Enoxaparin) in the April issue of The Lancet.

    April 20, 2007     Announcement of reimbursement of Acomplia(R)

                        (rimonabant) in Switzerland for the treatment of Type

                        2 Diabetics Overweight Patients and for the treatment

                        of Patients with Obesity

    April 26, 2007     Announcement of approval of Acomplia(R) in Brazil for

                        the treatment of obese patients, or overweight

                        patients with associated risk factors, such as type 2

                        diabetes or dyslipidemia

    April 30, 2007     Announcement of approval of Lantus(R)SoloSTAR(R) by the

                        FDA




    Financial Timetable


    May 31, 2007          Shareholders' Annual General Meeting

    August 1, 2007        2007 second-quarter sales and results

    September 17, 2007    Research and Development meeting

    October 31, 2007      2007 third-quarter sales and results




    Appendices


    List of Appendices


    Appendix 1:  Explanatory notes/ Financial indicators

    Appendix 2:  2007 first-quarter net sales by product

    Appendix 3:  2007 first-quarter adjusted consolidated financial statements

    Appendix 4:  2007 first-quarter reconciliation of consolidated income

                  statement to adjusted consolidated income statement

    Appendix 5:  Trends in selected adjusted income statement items, net of

                  tax




    Appendix 1: Explanatory notes/ Financial indicators

Comparable net sales

When we refer to the change in our sales on a "comparable" basis, we mean that we exclude the impact of exchange rate movements and changes in Group structure (acquisitions and divestments of interests in entities and rights to products, and changes in consolidation method for consolidated entities).

We exclude the impact of exchange rates by recalculating sales for the prior period on the basis of exchange rates used in the current period. We exclude the impact of acquisitions by including sales from the acquired entity or product rights for a portion of the prior period equal to the portion of the current period during which we owned them, based on sales information we receive from the party from whom we make the acquisition.

Similarly, we exclude sales in the relevant portion of the prior period when we have sold an entity or rights to a product.

For a change in consolidation method, the prior period is recalculated on the basis of the method used for the current period.

Reconciliation of 2006 first-quarter net sales to 2006 first-quarter comparable net sales


                     euro million                Q1 2006


    Q1 2006 net sales                             7,035

    Impact of changes in Group structure            (16)

    Impact of exchange rates                       (308)

    Q1 2006 comparable net sales                  6,711


Worldwide presence of a product

When we refer to the "worldwide presence" of a product, we mean our consolidated net sales of that product, minus sales of the product to our alliance partners plus non-consolidated sales made through our alliances with Bristol-Myers Squibb on Plavix(R)/Iscover(R) (clopidogrel) and Aprovel(R)/Avapro(R)/Karvea(R) (irbesartan), based on information provided to us by our alliance partner.

Operating income -- current

We define "operating income -- current" as operating income before restructuring, impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangibles, gains/losses on disposals, and litigation.

Adjusted net income

We define "adjusted net income" as accounting net income after minority interests (determined under IFRS) adjusted to exclude (i) the material impacts of the application of purchase accounting to acquisitions and (ii) acquisition-related integration and restructuring costs. Sanofi-aventis believes that eliminating these impacts from net income gives investors a better understanding of the underlying economic performance of the combined Group.

The material impacts of the application of purchase accounting to acquisitions, primarily the acquisition of Aventis, are as follows:

    -- Charges arising from the remeasurement of inventories at fair value,

       net of tax;

    -- Amortization/impairment expense generated by the remeasurement of

       intangible assets, net of tax;

    -- Any impairment of goodwill.


    Sanofi-aventis also excludes from adjusted net income any integration and

restructuring costs (net of tax) that are specific to the acquisition of

Aventis by sanofi-aventis.




                                       Q1 2007                 Q1 2007

             euro million           Consolidated        Adjusted consolidated

                                 financial statements    financial statements

                                     (unaudited)             (unaudited)


    Net sales                           7,177                   7,177

    Net income after minority

     interests                          1,537                   2,117

    Basic earnings per share             1.14                    1.57




    Appendix 2:  2007 first-quarter net sales by product



                                                     Q1 2006       Q1 2006

                                       Q1 2007     comparable      reported

                euro million          net sales     net sales      net sales


    Lovenox(R)                          634             586          624

    Plavix(R)                           569             575          580

    Stilnox(R)/Ambien(R)/Ambien CR(TM)  606             406          441

    Taxotere(R)                         449             408          430

    Eloxatin(R)                         393             406          429

    Lantus(R)                           458             360          382

    Copaxone(R)                         289             246          263

    Aprovel(R)                          264             245          248

    Tritace(R)                          211             225          235

    Allegra(R)                          201             165          180

    Amaryl(R)                            94             116          121

    Xatral(R)                            82              91           94

    Actonel(R)                           78              87           89

    Depakine(R)                          76              76           78

    Nasacort(R)                          79              65           71

    TOTAL                             4,483           4,057        4,265

    Other products                    2,127           2,165        2,258

    TOTAL Pharmaceuticals             6,610           6,222        6,523

    Vaccines                            567             489          512

    TOTAL Net sales                   7,177           6,711        7,035




    Appendix 3: 2007 first-quarter adjusted consolidated financial statements


    2007 first-quarter adjusted consolidated financial statements (unaudited)


                                 Q1 2007             Q1 2006

                                 Adjusted            Adjusted

                               consolidated  as %  consolidated  as %     %

         euro million             income    of net     income   of net  change

                                 statement   sales   statement   sales

                                (unaudited)         (unaudited)


    Net sales                        7,177  100.0%      7,035   100.0%   +2.0%

    Other revenues                     256    3.6%        289     4.1%  -11.4%

    Cost of sales                   (1,864) (26.0%)    (1,867)  (26.5%)  -0.2%

    Gross profit                     5,569   77.6%      5,457    77.6%   +2.1%

    Research and development

     expenses                       (1,081) (15.1%)    (1,046)  (14.9%)  +3.3%

    Selling and general expenses    (1,873) (26.1%)    (2,050)  (29.1%)  -8.6%

    Other current operating income     191      -         119       -       -

    Other current operating expenses   (54)     -         (28)      -       -

    Amortization of intangibles        (33)     -         (33)      -       -

    Operating income - current*      2,719   37.9%      2,419    34.4%  +12.4%

    Restructuring costs                (22)     -           -       -       -

    Impairment of PP&E and

     intangibles                         -      -          (1)      -       -

    Gain/loss on disposals,

     and litigation                      -      -         533       -       -

    Operating income                 2,697   37.6%      2,951    41.9%   -8.6%

    Financial expenses                 (83)     -        (109)      -   -23.9%

    Financial income                    51      -          79       -   -35.4%

    Income before tax and associates 2,665   37.1%      2,921    41.5%   -8.8%

    Income tax expense                (595)  (8.2%)      (832)  (11.8%) -28.5%

    Reported tax rate                 22.3%     -        28.5%     -        -

    Share profit/loss of associates    159      -         181       -   -12.2%

    Consolidated net income          2,229   31.1%      2,270    32.3%   -1.8%

    Minority interests                 112      -          97       -   +15.5%

    Net income after minority

     interests                       2,117   29.5%      2,173    30.9%   -2.6%

    Average number of shares

     outstanding (millions)        1,351.1            1,344.4

    Earnings per share (in euros)     1.57               1.62            -3.1%


    *Operating income before restructuring, impairment of PP&E and intangibles,

     gains/losses on disposals, and litigation



Appendix 4: 2007 first-quarter reconciliation of consolidated income statement to adjusted consolidated income statement

The adjustments to the income statement reflect the elimination of material impacts of the application of purchase accounting to acquisitions, primarily the acquisition of Aventis, amounting to euro 580 million net of deferred taxes (with no cash impact for the Group).




                                                                     Q1 2007

                                          Q1 2007                   Adjusted

              euro million              Consolidated  Adjustments consolidated

                                        (unaudited)                (unaudited)

    Net sales                              7,177                     7,177

      Other revenues                         256                       256

      Cost of sales                       (1,864)                   (1,864)

    Gross profit                           5,569                     5,569

      Research and development expenses   (1,081)                   (1,081)

      Selling and general expenses        (1,873)                   (1,873)

      Other current operating income         191                       191

      Other current operating expenses       (54)                      (54)

      Amortization of intangibles           (919)       886 (a)        (33)

    Operating income - current*            1,833        886          2,719

      Restructuring costs                    (22)                      (22)

      Impairment of PP&E and intangibles       -                         -

      Gain/loss on disposals, and

       litigation                              -                         -

    Operating income                       1,811        886          2,697

      Financial expenses                     (83)                      (83)

      Financial income                        51                        51

    Income before tax and associates       1,779        886          2,665

      Income tax expense                    (268)      (327)(b)       (595)

      Share profit/loss of associates        138         21 (c)        159

    Consolidated net income                1,649        580          2,229

      Minority interests                     112                       112

      Net income after minority interests  1,537        580          2,117

      Average number of shares

       outstanding (millions)            1,351.1                   1,351.1

    Earnings per share (in euros)           1.14       0.43           1.57


    *Operating income before restructuring, impairment of PP&E and intangibles,

     gains/losses on disposals, and litigation

The material impacts of the application of purchase accounting to acquisitions (primarily the acquisition of Aventis) on the 2007 first-quarter consolidated income statement are:


    (a) An amortization charge of euro 886 million against intangible assets.

        This adjustment has no cash impact on the Group.

    (b) Deferred taxes of euro 327 million generated by the amortization

        charge of euro 886 million taken against intangible assets. This

        adjustment has no cash impact on the Group.

    (c) In "Share of profit/loss from associates", a euro 21 million charge

        corresponding to amortization and impairment of intangibles (net of

        tax). This adjustment has no cash impact on the Group.




    Appendix 5: Trends in selected adjusted income statement items, net of tax


               euro million                       Q1 2007            Q1 2006


    Restructuring costs                             (15)                 -

    Net gains/(losses) on disposals                   -                446(2)

    Provisions for financial instruments,

     litigation, tax inspections and other items    223(1)              20


    TOTAL after tax                                 208                466


    1 Net reversal of provisions for tax risks/settlement of tax audits:

      euro 223 million

    2 including:

      -- Exubera(R): euro 384 million

      -- Animal Nutrition: euro 31 million




    REMINDER


    8.00 am CET - WEBCAST

    & CONFERENCE CALL (English)    The 1st quarter 2007 sales and earnings

                                   will be reviewed today by Mr. Hanspeter

                                   Spek, Executive Vice-President,

                                   Pharmaceutical Operations, Mr. Jean-Claude

                                   Leroy, Executive Vice President, Finance

                                   and Legal. The slides will be available on

                                   http://www.sanofi-aventis.com. This

                                   presentation will be followed by a Q&A

                                   session.


    CALL-IN NUMBERS                The conference will also be available by

                                   telephone via the following numbers:


                                   France   +33 (0) 1 70 99 42 87

                                   UK       +44 (0) 207 138 0843

                                   USA      +1 718 354 1152


    AUDIO REPLAY                   Available online at

                                   http://www.sanofi-aventis.com and through

                                   the numbers below (until May 12, 2007):


                                   France       +33 (0) 1 71 23 02 48

                                   UK           +44 (0) 207 806 1970

                                   USA          +1 718 354 1112

                                   Access code  3947621#


    Media Relations Department

    Paris: +33.1.53.77.42.23

    Email: 
  
media-relations@sanofi-aventis.com

CONTACT: Media Relations Department of sanofi-aventis, Paris:+33-1-53-77-42-23, media-relations@sanofi-aventis.com

Web site: http://www.sanofi-aventis.us/http://www.sanofi-aventis.com//

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/232375.html /

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