Download SANOFI PASTEUR INFLUENZA VACCINE PRODUCTION TOPS

SANOFI PASTEUR INFLUENZA VACCINE PRODUCTION TOPS 170 MILLION DOSES
IN 2006
-Record production capabilities strengthen sanofi pasteur’s global leadership in the
fight against seasonal influenza and place the company at the forefront of pandemic
readiness-
Lyon (France) and Swiftwater, Pa. – December 20, 2006 – Sanofi pasteur, the vaccines
business of the sanofi-aventis Group (NYSE: SNY; EURONEXT: SAN), announced that it
completed production of more than 170 million doses of influenza vaccine in 2006.
Sanofi pasteur confirmed its leadership as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of seasonal
influenza vaccine, supplying a very significant portion of the estimated global production of
about 350 million doses1.
As the global influenza vaccine leader, sanofi pasteur has been steadily increasing its
manufacturing capacity. Since 2003, capacity has increased by more than 40% in line with the
company’s commitment to serve a central role in the fight against a disease that causes
between three and five million cases of severe illness and between 300,000 and 500,000
estimated deaths every year around the world according to the Word Health Organization1.
In addition, sanofi pasteur’s leadership position in developing and producing influenza vaccines
places the company at the forefront of readiness against the threat of pandemic influenza. The
company is committed to producing as many doses of sanofi pasteur’s most advanced vaccine
in the shortest possible timeframe, should a pandemic be declared by the world’s health
authorities.
« By producing a record number of doses of seasonal influenza vaccine in 2006, sanofi pasteur
demonstrates once again its steadfast commitment to fight a serious disease that affects the
lives of millions of individuals each year and heavily weighs upon public health systems
everywhere,» said Jean-François Dehecq, Chairman and CEO of sanofi-aventis. « Sanofi
pasteur’s strong industrial capabilities combined with a high-priority pandemic influenza
vaccine research program involving over 100 of our top scientists is enabling us to provide a
meaningful contribution to global pandemic preparedness,» added Mr. Dehecq.
Since 1995, sales volume of sanofi pasteur’s influenza virus vaccines has more than tripled. To
keep pace with the world’s growing immunization needs, sanofi pasteur has made significant
capital investments in influenza vaccine production capabilities in the United States and France
in order to reach current levels of more than 170 million doses.
Vice President, Communications sanofi pasteur: Alain Bernal
Vice President, Media and Scientific Communications: Pascal Barollier +33 4 3737 5141
Vice President, U.S. Communications: Len Lavenda +1 570 839 7187
Sanofi Pasteur S.A. Headquarters - 2, avenue Pont Pasteur - F-69367 Lyon cedex 07 – France
Sanofi Pasteur Inc. - Discovery Drive - Swiftwater, PA 18370-0187 - USA - www.sanofipasteur.com
In 2005, sanofi pasteur initiated a USD 160 million investment in the United States for a new
influenza vaccine manufacturing facility, which is anticipated to double its U.S. production
capacity. New production capacities are planned to come online for the 2008/9 influenza
season. A €160 million investment, the largest capital investment to date for sanofi pasteur in
France, has also been approved for a formulation and filling facility in sanofi pasteur’s Val de
Reuil facility. The new state-of-the-industry facility will boost sanofi pasteur filling capabilities,
thus significantly reducing time to market for the vaccine.
Seasonal Influenza Overview
Influenza is a highly infectious virus that spreads easily from person to person, primarily when
an infected individual coughs or sneezes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
5-15% of the population is affected with upper respiratory tract infections in annual influenza
epidemics. Hospitalization and deaths mainly occur in high-risk groups (elderly, chronically ill
(people with chronic conditions/illness). Although difficult to assess, these annual epidemics
are thought to result in between three and five million cases of severe illness and between 300
000 and 500 000 deaths every year around the world1. Most deaths currently associated with
influenza in industrialized countries occur among the elderly over 65 years of age.
Pandemic influenza overview
Influenza is a disease caused by a highly infectious virus that spreads easily from person to
person, primarily when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. An influenza pandemic is a
global epidemic of an especially virulent virus, newly infectious for humans, and for which there
is no preexisting immunity. This is why these pandemic strains have such potential to cause
severe morbidity and mortality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the next
pandemic is likely to result in 1 to 2.3 million hospitalizations and 280,000 to 650,000 deaths in
industrialized nations alone. Its impact is expected to be even more devastating in developing
countries. In an attempt to minimize the impact of a pandemic, many countries are developing
national and transnational plans against an eventual influenza pandemic situation.
For information about sanofi pasteur pandemic preparedness program, please visit:
www.sanofipasteur.com/pandemicpreparedness/
About sanofi-aventis
The sanofi-aventis Group 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 disease, thrombosis,
oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines. The
sanofi-aventis Group is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). For
more information, please visit: www.sanofi-aventis.com
Sanofi pasteur, the vaccines business of the sanofi-aventis Group, sold more than a billion
doses of vaccine in 2005, making it possible to protect more than 500 million people across the
globe. The company offers the broadest range of vaccines, providing protection against 20
bacterial and viral diseases. For more information, please visit: www.sanofipasteur.com
Reference:
1. www.who.int/vaccine_research/diseases/ari/en/print.html
Vice President, Communications sanofi pasteur: Alain Bernal
Vice President, Media and Scientific Communications: Pascal Barollier +33 4 3737 5141
Vice President, U.S. Communications: Len Lavenda +1 570 839 7187
Sanofi Pasteur S.A. Headquarters - 2, avenue Pont Pasteur - F-69367 Lyon cedex 07 – France
Sanofi Pasteur Inc. - Discovery Drive - Swiftwater, PA 18370-0187 - USA - www.sanofipasteur.com
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 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 “expect,”
“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 ForwardLooking Statements” in sanofi-aventis’ annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended
December 31, 2005. Other than as required by applicable law, sanofi-aventis does not
undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.
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sanofi pasteur
sanofi pasteur
Pascal Barollier
Len Lavenda
International Media Relations
U.S. Media Relations
Tel: + 33-(0)4-37-37-51-41
Tel: +1-570-839-4446
[email protected]
[email protected]
Vice President, Communications sanofi pasteur: Alain Bernal
Vice President, Media and Scientific Communications: Pascal Barollier +33 4 3737 5141
Vice President, U.S. Communications: Len Lavenda +1 570 839 7187
Sanofi Pasteur S.A. Headquarters - 2, avenue Pont Pasteur - F-69367 Lyon cedex 07 – France
Sanofi Pasteur Inc. - Discovery Drive - Swiftwater, PA 18370-0187 - USA - www.sanofipasteur.com