Dynamic growth in 2005 full-year consolidated net sales: up 9.3% on a comparable basis1

Excellent performance from vaccines: up 26.9% on a comparable basis1 2005 adjusted earnings1 guidance raised Approval of Plavix® in Japan Unless otherwise indicated, growth figures in this press release are on a comparable basis, and calculated on 2004 pro forma figures (see explanatory notes) for the full year and on consolidated figures for the fourth quarter. FOURTH QUARTER · Net sales: up 4.8% at €7,007 million (up 7.0% on a reported basis) - Competition from generics for Allegra® and three other products in the United States. Excluding this impact2, net sales growth remained strong at 10.6% - Successful launch of Ambien CRTM - 50.2% growth for the vaccines business · Developed sales1: up 5.5% at €8,046 million 2005 FULL YEAR · Net sales: up 9.3% at €27,311 million (up 8.4% on a reported basis) - Sales growth ahead of growth in the world pharmaceuticals market3 - 14.0% growth for the top 15 products - Stability of other products sales - 26.9% growth for the vaccines business · Developed sales1: up 9.7% at €30,778 million 2005 ADJUSTED EARNINGS1 EXPECTATION RAISED · The Group expects 2005 full-year adjusted EPS growth1 to be close to 25% POSSIBILITY OF PEDIATRIC EXTENSION FOR AMBIEN® IN THE UNITED STATES · The Group is starting the trials required by the FDA APPROVAL OF PLAVIX® IN JAPAN · New source of growth for Plavix®, with a Japanese launch (for reduction of recurrence after ischemic cerebrovascular disorder) scheduled for the second quarter of 2006 1 Refer to the Appendices for a definition of financial indicators (unaudited) 2 Excluding US sales of Allegra® and Arava® since September, of Amaryl® since October, and of DDAVP® since July (2005 and 2004) 3 IMS all available channels YTD to end November 2005: Pharmaceuticals market up 6.1%; sanofi-aventis IMS consolidated up 8.8%. 2/15 In the fourth quarter of 2005, sanofi -aventis generated net sales of €7,007 million, up 4.8%. Exchange rate movements had a favorable effect of 3 points, and changes in Group structure a negative effect of 0.8 of a point. After allowing for these impacts, reported-basis growth was 7.0%. 2005 full-year net sales were €27,311 million, up 9.3%. Exchange rate movements had a neutral impact over the year as a whole, while changes in Group structure had a negative effect of 0.9 of a point. After allowing for these impacts, reported-basis growth was 8.4%. Se hela releasen samt tabeller i bifogad fil.