Sanofi Pasteur Receives Order From French Government To Produce Novel Influenza A(H1N1) Vaccine

Main Category: Swine Flu
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 25 Jul 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), announced it has received an order from the French Ministry of Health to produce a vaccine against the novel A(H1N1) influenza virus.

This order from the French Ministry of Health provides for the initial supply of 28 million doses of the new A(H1N1) influenza virus vaccine in final presentation, and includes an option for an additional 28 million doses. This order was issued pursuant to an existing influenza pandemic vaccine supply agreement between Sanofi Pasteur and the French government that allows the French Ministry of Health to purchase vaccines for viruses identified by the World Heath Organization (WHO) as being involved in a declared pandemic or having a pandemic potential.

The vaccine will be manufactured in Val de Reuil, France. Dosage requirements for the new vaccine are yet to be determined and will be based on clinical trials outcomes. Final formulation, filling and distribution of the vaccine should be determined in the coming months as the mass-production process will be ongoing.

Sanofi Pasteur currently estimates it will have the first A(H1N1) vaccine doses ready for public health officials within four to six months. This vaccine would help prevent the spread of the novel influenza A(H1N1) virus strain. Its availability for administration would be subject to regulatory approval. Sanofi Pasteur remains in continuous communication with the WHO and health authorities around the world to help develop a tailored response to local public health needs.

Sanofi Pasteur remains in continuous communication with the WHO and health authorities around the world to help develop a tailored response to local public health needs.

Sanofi Pasteur Influenza Vaccine Production

Sanofi Pasteur operates influenza vaccine production facilities in Val de Reuil, France and in Swiftwater, Pennsylvania (United States). All Sanofi Pasteur influenza vaccine facilities have been designed and built to be able to switch from seasonal influenza vaccine production to pandemic influenza vaccine production. Sanofi Pasteur produces approximately 40 percent of the influenza vaccines distributed worldwide and in the U.S. produced more than 45 percent of the influenza vaccines distributed for the 2008-2009 influenza season.

About Sanofi Aventis

Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, provided more than 1.6 billion doses of vaccine in 2008, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers the broadest range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR 1 million in research and development.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future events, operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions. Although sanofi-aventis' management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of sanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by sanofi-aventis, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in sanofi-aventis' annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008. Other than as required by applicable law, sanofi-aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.

Source: Sanofi Aventis