The US Food and Drug Administration has notified the Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis, a member of the Sanofi-Aventis group that it is extending its original review period for Exubera (insulin [rDNA origin] powder for oral inhalation) by three months to review additional technical chemistry data submitted by the companies.

In September, an FDA Advisory Committee recommended approval of Exubera for the treatment of adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. FDA is not obligated to follow the Advisory Committee's recommendation, but usually does so. Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis continue to work closely with the FDA so that this important medicine can be made available for patients, states a company release.

Sanofi-Aventis is the world's third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. The company is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines.