France's Sanofi-Aventis Reports Fourth Quarter Results

French drug major sanofi-aventis has reported an 8 percent year-on-year rise in fourth quarter revenue to EUR6.61bn (US$8.61bn). The result, mainly driven by blockbuster blood thinner Plavix and thrombosis treatment Lovenox, brings the company's full year result to EUR25.42bn (US$33.11bn). Sales of the two products respectively rose 19 percent and 24 percent in the quarter. Profit figures are still to be published.

Despite the positive results, both drugs remain the subject of ongoing legal disputes with generics makers. Israel's Teva and US-based Amphastar Pharmaceuticals have filed separate abbreviated new drug applications targeting Lovenox, and Indian drugmaker Dr. Reddy's has announced plans to market a generic version of Plavix. A date for a US patent trial on Plavix has been set for March 4.