Sanofi-aventis has amended its global collaboration agreement with Warner Chilcott plc regarding Actonel (risedronate sodium) tablets in the United States and Puerto Rico. Under this amendment, Warner Chilcott will assume full responsibility for the commercialization and management of Actonel in the United States and Puerto Rico, including sales, marketing, distribution and local R&D decisions. All other aspects of the global collaboration agreement remain in effect.
Sanofi-aventis will also receive collaboration payments from Warner Chilcott based on a percentage of net sales until the expiration of the global collaboration agreement on December 31, 2014. Under current assumptions, this amendment to the global collaboration agreement is expected to be earnings neutral for sanofi-aventis in 2010 and until the end of the agreement compared to the previous arrangement.
The amendment to the Actonel global collaboration agreement, along with other promotional support decisions, represents an ongoing evolution of the company’s organizational and resource strategy in the United States.
Sanofi-aventis in-licensed Actonel from The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) and entered into a global collaboration agreement for the co-development and marketing of Actonel in April 1997. On October 30, 2009, Warner Chilcott acquired the P&G portfolio of branded pharmaceutical products, including Actonel. Warner Chilcott became the successor in rights and interests to P&G for the Actonel alliance. The sanofi-aventis global collaboration agreement with Warner Chilcott covers worldwide development and marketing arrangements for Actonel, except in Japan.