Sanofi-aventis has received from the US FDA, Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products an approvable letter for rimonabant for weight management, and from the Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Rheumathology Products a non-approvable letter for smoking cessation.

Rimonabant is the first in a new class of therapeutic agents called CB (1) blockers.

Sanofi-aventis is the world's third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines.