Sanofi-aventis and Astellas Pharma Inc said they will restructure their joint venture activities in Japan that will simplify the operational management. The Fujisawa sanofi-aventis K K operation will be made in several steps and the process is expected to be completed on December 31, 2007.

In the restructuring, sanofi-aventis K K, the Japanese subsidiary of sanofi-aventis, shall obtain certain rights to Myslee. Myslee, the leading treatment of insomnia, will continue to be co-promoted by sanofi-aventis K.K. and Astellas and distributed by Astellas. The other products, namely Primperan, Dogmatyl and Gramalil will solely be marketed and distributed by Astellas.

Established in 1982, FSA is a joint venture company 51 per cent owned by sanofi-aventis and 49 per cent by Astellas. FSA owns the rights to manufacture and sell certain products originating from sanofi-aventis such as Myslee (zolpidem), Dogmatyl (sulpiride), Primperan (metoclopramide) and Gramalil (tiapride).

Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone.