Sanofi culls 14 programs after pipeline review

After casting a cold, hard eye on its pipeline, Sanofi-Aventis says that it has culled 14 mid- to late-stage development programs that just didn't measure up.

Sanofi Chief Executive Chris Viehbacher (photo) announced the pipeline review last February. And he followed up the revamp by explaining that the drugs that are being dropped either suffered from efficacy issues, insufficiently compelling data or a lack of market potential. Among the therapies that didn't make the cut are the antidepressant saredutant and AVE5530 for high cholesterol.

Sanofi's retooled pipeline will now have 51 projects in development, with more time focused on therapies like the pediatric vaccine Hexaxim and the cancer drug aflibercept.

The pharma company reported a 19 percent jump in first quarter net profit and Viehbacher told investors that Sanofi continues to seek out new takeovers, though he added that there are no ongoing talks.

- read the story from Dow Jones

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