Sanofi-aventis has suffered a setback during the second quarter ended June 2012 on account of loss  exclusivity of Plavix and Avapro in the US. Its net profit declined by 9.6 per cent to Euro 1,944 million from Euro 2,150 million in the similar period of last year. Its net sales, however, increased by 6.2 per cent to Euro 8,870 million from Euro 8,349 million. Net sales lost to generic competition were Euro 163 million in the quarter.

Commenting on the Group's performance, Christopher A Viehbacher, CEO, said, “This quarter, we faced the anticipated loss of exclusivity of Plavix and Avapro in the US. The strategy initiated at the end of 2008 focusing on the development of our growth platforms, coupled with continuous tight cost control and value-creating acquisitions allowed Sanofi to limit the impact on business EPS. In addition, we made progress in advancing our pipeline with the submission of Lemtrada to the US and EU regulatory agencies as well as the recent initiation of a comprehensive Phase III program for an anti-PCSK-9 monoclonal antibody.”

The sales of the Group's growth platforms (including “new Genzyme”) were Euro 5,753 million, an increase of 7.6 per cent, with double digit growth achieved by Diabetes and CHC, while Emerging Markets grew by 9.8 per cent. The Group's growth platforms accounted for 64.9 per cent of total consolidated sales in the second quarter 2012. up from 60.9 per cent in the second quarter of 2011.

Its pharmaceuticals sales declined by 0.4 per cent to Euro 7,511 million due to loss of sales of Copaxone, disposal of Dermik, EU austerity measures and generic competition in respect of Lovenox, Xatral and Taxotere in US and Taxotere, Plavix and Aprovel in the EU. The diabetes business recorded another quarter of double-digit growth of 13.7 per cent to Euro 1,436 million driven by the strong performance of Lantus. The sales of Lantus increased by 16.5 per cent to Euro 1,228 million. Its sales from the oncology business moved up by 7 per cent to Euro 751 million due to strong sales of Eloxatin in the US with sales of Euro 313 million. The sales of Plavix decreased 43.3 per cent to Euro 1,100 million, reflecting the loss of its exclusivity in the US in May 2012. Sales in the Us declined by 59.9 per cent.

The consolidated sales of Sanofi Pasteur improved by 3 per cent to Euro 783 million, supported by another record performance for seasonal influenza vaccines in Southern Hemisphere and despite temporarily order limitations for pentacel in the US.

For the first half ended June 2012, Sanofi's net sales increased by 7.8 per cent to Euro 17,381 million from Euro 16,128 million. Its business net income improved marginally by 1.5 per cent to Euro 4,386 million from Euro 4,320 million in the corresponding period of last year.