Sanofi-aventis, a third largest pharma company in the world after Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline, has failed to generate better performance during the year ended December 2007 on account of unfavourable effect of exchange rate movements and stiff generic competition in US. Its net sales declined by 1.1 per cent to Euro 28,052 (US$ 41,316 million) from Euro 28,373 million in the previous year. The company's other revenues increased by 3.5 per cent to Euro 1,155 million from Euro 1,116 million. The total dividend for the year 2007 is higher by 18.3 per cent to Euro 2.07 per share.

The profit before tax declined by 3.6 per cent to Euro 9,341 million from Euro 9,690 million in the previous year despite lower selling and general expenses. However, its net profit moved up by one per cent to Euro 7,110 million from Euro 7,040 million on account of lower provision for taxation and higher share of profit of associate companies. The research and development expenditure increased by 2.4 per cent to Euro 4,537 million from 4,430 million in the previous year.

The company's net sales for the pharmaceutical business have increased by 1.7 per cent to Euro 25,274 million. Its net sales of the top 15 products rose by 3.2 per cent to Euro 17,071 million, representing 67.5 per cent of pharmaceuticals net sales against 66.5 per cent in 2006. Excluding the impact of the introduction of generics of Ambien IR in the US and Eloxatin in Europe, the top 15 products would have recorded growth of 10.7 per cent in 2007.

The sales of its top product Lovenox increased by 13.4 per cent to Euro 2,612 million and that of Plavix moved up by 9.5 per cent to Euro 2,424 million. Lovenox, the leading low molecular weight heparin on the market, reported strong growth in US of 16.5 per cent, Europe15.5 per cent and other countries 27.9 per cent during 2007. .Lovenox was approved in Japan for the prevention of various thromboembolism in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery during January 2008.

The consolidated net sales for the human vaccines business rose by 14.5 per cent to Euro 2,778 million. The net sales of Menactra advanced by 86.1 per cent to Euro 415 million and that of Adacel increased by 64.5 per cent to Euro 234 million. Sanofi Pasteur produced over 180 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2007, reinforcing its position as world leader. Sanofi Pasteur MSD began marketing Gardasil in Europe at the end of 2006 and now sold in all 19 European countries covered by the join venture.