Content about Sanofi

October 15, 2012

Watson Pharmaceuticals announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, has received Food and Drug Administration approval on its abbreviated new drug application for irbesartan tablets — the generic equivalent to Sanofi's Avapro — in the 75-mg, 150-mg and 300-mg strengths.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, has received Food and Drug Administration approval on its abbreviated new drug application for irbesartan tablets — the generic equivalent to Sanofi's Avapro — in the 75-mg, 150-mg and 300-mg strengths.

October 9, 2012

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of French drug maker Sanofi, recently unveiled an effort to promote flu vaccinations that includes advertising and celebrity endorsements. DSN had the opportunity to talk to Sanofi Pasteur director of U.S. public relations and communications Michael Szumera about the campaign.

Flu vaccinations have received a lot of attention lately, and that’s no surprise, considering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that everyone ages 6 months and older get yearly vaccinations, not to mention the H1N1 pandemic flu scare.

October 9, 2012

A drug maker and a hospital have entered an agreement aimed at developing new treatments for various types of hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A drug maker and a hospital have entered an agreement aimed at developing new treatments for various types of hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

Sanofi and Massachusetts General Hospital said their project-based collaboration unites scientists from the respective parties, with the goal of "maximizing the strengths of both academic and industry cross-organizational expertise, and will include both preclinical and clinical translational research to elucidate questions from proof-of-concept to tolerability, efficacy and effectiveness."

October 5, 2012

Sanofi Pasteur will bring its Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour to a San Francisco Walgreens on Oct. 6 as part of its cross-country efforts to raise awareness about the seriousness of influenza and the various vaccine options that are available for adults 18 to 64 years of age this flu season.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi Pasteur will bring its Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour to a San Francisco Walgreens on Oct. 6 as part of its cross-country efforts to raise awareness about the seriousness of influenza and the various vaccine options that are available for adults 18 to 64 years of age this flu season.

October 2, 2012

An experimental drug for treating a rare genetic disease appears effective, according to a late-stage clinical trial.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — An experimental drug for treating a rare genetic disease appears effective, according to a late-stage clinical trial.

September 28, 2012

Supermarket chain Bi-Lo is adding the generic form of a blood-thinning drug to its generic-discount program.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Supermarket chain Bi-Lo is adding the generic form of a blood-thinning drug to its generic-discount program.

The company announced Friday that patients could buy generic clopidogrel for $4 for a 30-day supply and $10 for a 90-day supply with the chain's Pharmacy Discount Card. The branded version of the drug, which recently became available as a generic, is marketed by Sanofi and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

September 24, 2012

Sanofi Pasteur is bringing its Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour to Seattle Monday as part of its cross-country efforts to raise awareness about the seriousness of influenza and the various vaccine options that are available for adults 18 through 64 years old this flu season.

 SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi Pasteur is bringing its Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour to Seattle Monday as part of its cross-country efforts to raise awareness about the seriousness of influenza and the various vaccine options that are available for adults 18 through 64 years old this flu season.

In an effort to help improve flu immunization rates, Sanofi Pasteur's Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour will visit the Kirkland Walgreens for a flu clinic event. 

September 20, 2012

French drug maker Sanofi announced a deal with the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development Thursday to develop drugs for tuberculosis.

NEW YORK — French drug maker Sanofi announced a deal with the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development to develop drugs for tuberculosis.

The drug maker and the TB Alliance said the deal will include discovery and development of new drug compounds for the disease, which caused almost 1.5 million deaths globally and affected nearly 9 million in 2010, according to the World Health Organization.

September 18, 2012

Just days after Sanofi Pasteur's hiring of actor Chris O'Donnell as a celebrity spokesman for its flu vaccination campaign, the American Lung Association has hired actress Sarah Chalke for its campaign, for which it is also collaborating with Sanofi Pasteur.

WASHINGTON — Just days after Sanofi Pasteur's hiring of actor Chris O'Donnell as a celebrity spokesman for its flu vaccination campaign, the American Lung Association has hired actress Sarah Chalke for its campaign, for which it is also collaborating with Sanofi Pasteur.

The American Lung Association announced the enlistment of Chalke for its "Faces of Influenza" initiative to promote flu immunizations. Chalke, a cast member of the show Scrubs and a mother, will be the spokeswoman for the campaign during the 2012-2013 season.

September 18, 2012

Generic drug makers Hospira, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have launched generic versions of a chemotherapy drug made by Sanofi, the three companies said last month.


NEW YORK — Generic drug makers Hospira, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have launched generic versions of a chemotherapy drug made by Sanofi, the three companies said last month.


September 18, 2012

For branded drug makers, the pharmaceutical patent cliff has never loomed higher or steeper. The exposure of so many of the world’s biggest-selling medicines to generic competition for the first time is redefining the pricing model for many of the most widely prescribed classes of pharmaceuticals.

For branded drug makers, the pharmaceutical patent cliff has never loomed higher or steeper. The exposure of so many of the world’s biggest-selling medicines to generic competition for the first time is redefining the pricing model for many of the most widely prescribed classes of pharmaceuticals — reducing costs for health plans, payers and patients; scrambling drug makers’ balance sheets; and potentially boosting both drug utilization and adherence rates as reduced out-of-pocket costs induce more patients to fill their prescriptions.


September 13, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for multiple sclerosis.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for multiple sclerosis.

Sanofi subsidiary Genzyme announced that the FDA had approved Aubagio (teriflunomide) as a once-daily, oral treatment for patients with relapsing MS.

September 13, 2012

The vaccines division of French drug maker Sanofi has signed a deal with actor Chris O'Donnell to promote its flu vaccination products, the company said.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — The vaccines division of French drug maker Sanofi has signed a deal with actor Chris O'Donnell to promote its flu vaccination products, the company said.

Sanofi Pasteur's campaign includes an effort to build awareness of influenza and vaccine options, including the company's Fluzone Intradermal vaccine, for adults through the age of 65 years. O'Donnell has appeared in such movies as "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "Kinsey," and more recently in such television shows as "NCIS: Los Angeles."

September 4, 2012

Generic drug maker Impax Labs has settled with a subsidiary of Sanofi regarding generic versions of two drugs for dialysis patients, Impax said Tuesday.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Generic drug maker Impax Labs has settled with a subsidiary of Sanofi regarding generic versions of two drugs for dialysis patients, Impax said Tuesday.

Impax announced a settlement with Genzyme concerning generic versions of Renvela (sevelamer carbonate) 800 mg tablets and 2.4 g and 0.8 g oral suspension and Renagel (sevelamer hydrochloride) tablets in the 400 mg and 800 mg strengths.

April 2, 2012

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched generic versions of two blood pressure drugs made by Sanofi, Teva said Monday.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched generic versions of two blood pressure drugs made by Sanofi, Teva said Monday.

Teva announced the launch of irbesartan and irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets, respectively generic versions of Avapro and Avalide. Avapro has annual sales of $464 million, and Avalide has annual sales of $124 million, according to IMS Health. Both drugs are used to treat high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

February 17, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said. Merck announced the approval of Janumet XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets as a once-daily treatment for the disease.


SUPPLIER NEWS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said. Merck announced the approval of Janumet XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets as a once-daily treatment for the disease.


February 8, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a head lice treatment made by Sanofi, the drug maker said.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a head lice treatment made by Sanofi, the drug maker said.

Sanofi announced the approval of Sklice (ivermectin) lotion in the 0.5% strength for patients ages 6 months and older. According to Sanofi, head lice infest an estimated 6 to 12 million children ages 3 to 11 years and costs as much as $1 billion in lost school days and lost work for parents.

December 8, 2011

According to a report published Wednesday on the site of MobiHealthNews, the Food and Drug Administration has approved an iPhone glucose meter called AgaMatrix Nugget from Sanofi.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — According to a report published Wednesday on the site of MobiHealthNews, the Food and Drug Administration has approved an iPhone glucose meter called AgaMatrix Nugget from Sanofi. "Sanofi has long planned to sell the AgaMatrix Nugget (also called the iGBStar) in the United States. It began offering the device in Europe earlier this year," MobiHealthNews reported.

November 14, 2011

A drug under development by Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb for preventing internal blood clots failed to show superiority over a treatment already on the market, the companies said Monday.

NEW YORK — A drug under development by Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb for preventing internal blood clots failed to show superiority over a treatment already on the market, the companies said Monday.

The two drug makers announced Monday results of the phase-3 "ADOPT" study, which was designed to compare the safety and effectiveness of Eliquis (apixaban) with enoxaparin in preventing venous thromboembolism in patients with acute medical illness. Sanofi sells enoxaparin under the brand name Lovenox, and it is available as a generic.

October 25, 2011

Sanofi has appointed David Meeker as CEO of Genzyme, the French drug maker said.

PARIS — Sanofi has appointed David Meeker as CEO of Genzyme, the French drug maker said.

Sanofi bought the Cambridge, Mass.-based biotech manufacturer for $20.1 billion earlier this year.

"After working closely with David over the past six months, I am confident that he is the best person to lead Genzyme," Sanofi CEO Christopher Viehbacher said. "David's commitment to employees, physicians and patients has been a key success factor in the successful integration of Genzyme as part of the Sanofi Group."

September 23, 2011

Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens, and Sanofi U.S. have announced the opening of a full-service medical center and on-site pharmacy at Sanofi’s U.S. headquarters in Bridgewater, N.J.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens, and Sanofi U.S. have announced the opening of a full-service medical center and on-site pharmacy at Sanofi’s U.S. headquarters in Bridgewater, N.J.

July 28, 2011

The president and CEO of Sanofi's U.S. operations is stepping into a newly created role at the drug maker.

PARIS — The president and CEO of Sanofi's U.S. operations is stepping into a newly created role at the drug maker.

Greg Irace will become SVP global services, leading the global information systems function and will be responsible for shared support functions across all Sanofi businesses in North America. He also will play a key role in the development of a global strategy for shared services. Irace will report to Jérôme Contamine, Sanofi EVP and CFO.

July 20, 2011

Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has signed an agreement with Sanofi’s subsidiary in Canada to distribute a topical medication for osteoarthritis in the country.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has signed an agreement with Sanofi’s subsidiary in Canada to distribute a topical medication for osteoarthritis in the country.

Valeant said Tuesday that it had reached an agreement with Sanofi-Aventis Canada for Canadian marketing and distribution rights to Zuacta (zucapsaicin), designed for treating osteoarthritis of the knee.

July 14, 2011

French drug maker Sanofi has sold its skin care business to Canada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Sanofi said.

PARIS — French drug maker Sanofi has sold its skin care business to Canada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Sanofi said.

Sanofi said the $425 million sale of its dermatology business, Dermik, would allow it to focus on its core businesses. Valeant’s business is much more focused on dermatology, as well as neurology, than Sanofi’s is.

April 11, 2011

Genzyme now officially is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis.

PARIS — Genzyme now officially is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis.

The Paris-based drug maker said that the closing followed the completion of the exchange offer for drug maker Genzyme last week. As its subsidiary, Genzyme will become a new platform in Sanofi's sustainable growth strategy and expand the company's presence in biotechnology, Sanofi said. Genzyme will continue to operate out of its Cambridge, Mass., headquarters, and will be led by Sanofi CEO Christopher Viehbacher for several months.