Sanofi and  Tokyo-based pharmaceutical company, Astellas Pharma Inc., have  agreed to dissolve Tokyo based sanofi-aventis Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Inc., the joint company of Sanofi and Astellas.

Sanofi-aventis Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Inc. was established in 1986, which shares are currently owned by a Sanofi’s subsidiary (51%) and Astellas (49%). The joint company had exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute in Japan its cardiovascular agents Milrila (generic name: milrinone) which was originated by Sanofi, and Astellas had been entrusted by the joint company to manufacture Milrila and granted to distribute it.

However, from January 1 on, Sanofi Aventis US has directly granted Astellas to exclusively manufacture and distribute Milrila in Japan without involving the joint company. As the result of this change, the joint company no longer has products to deal with. Since the joint company has ended its role, Sanofi and Astellas have decided to dissolve the joint company.