Sanofi-aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb have announced that the US Court of appeals for the Federal Circuit has denied the motion by Apotex to stay the August 31, 2006 preliminary injunction issued by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. That injunction ordered Apotex to halt its sales of a generic version of clopidogrel bisulphate product that competes with Plavix.

Apotex had sought the stay pending its appeal of the preliminary injunction.
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has set an expedited schedule for Apotex's appeal of the preliminary injunction, with oral argument scheduled for October 31, 2006.

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.

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical and related health care company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life.