Sanofi-aventis Acquires Laboratorios Kendrick in Mexico
- Acquisition Advances Emerging Markets Strategy - Paris, France - April 2, 2009 -
that its subsidiary sanofi-aventis Mexico has acquired Laboratorios Kendrick ("Kendrick") in a move to
accelerate sales growth and further extend its pharmaceutical portfolio in emerging markets.
Kendrick is a leading generic company in Mexico and one of the most dynamic in this market, with
sales amounting to around 500 million Mexican pesos (around 26 million euros) in 2008. Kendrick's
portfolio incorporates more than 50 active ingredients in the following therapeutic areas: analgesics,
antihistamines, anti-infectives, antirheumatics, cardiovascular and central nervous system drugs.
Kendrick's market share in the Mexican generic market is estimated at 15% (IMS MAT January
2009).
Nicolas Cartier, General Manager of sanofi-aventis Mexico said: "The Kendrick acquisition represents
Kendrick will enable sanofi-aventis to reinforce its leadership in Mexico and further extend the range
of its pharmaceutical portfolio. This acquisition is one more step in the path to transform
sanofi-aventis into a global healthcare leader.
*** About Laboratorios Kendrick
Founded in 1946, Kendrick is one of the companies that actively participate within both the Private
Market - pharmacies, chain outlets - and Government Tender market segments in Mexico. Kendrick is
a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes
unbranded and branded generic products in Mexico.
About sanofi-aventis Mexico
With 2,500 employees and sales amounting to around 600 million euros in 2008, sanofi-aventis is the
market leader in Mexico, with strong positions in diabetes, oncology, thrombosis, pain and vaccines.
In 2007, sanofi-aventis launched its own generic division in Mexico which already ranks 8th among the
generic companies in Mexico. Sanofi-aventis has a manufacturing plant in Mexico and has developed
a significant presence in terms of clinical research. Recently, sanofi-aventis announced the signing of
an agreement to build a 100 million euro facility to manufacture pandemic influenza vaccine in
Mexico.
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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).
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 sanofiaventis'
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 sanofiaventis'
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.
an exceptional opportunity to accelerate our growth in the generic market in Mexico. Sanofi-aventis
proves once again its leadership and its commitment to offering quality medicines that satisfy the
patient needs with one of the most comprehensive portfolios in the industry."